Thomas makes debut as Cavs defeat Trail Blazers 127-110

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Cleveland Cavaliers star guard Isaiah Thomas played 19 minutes and scored 17 points in his first game in seven months, and also his first in a Cleveland jersey, as the Cavs beat the Portland Trail Blazers 127-110 on Tuesday.

Thomas, who was injured last May while playing for his former club the Boston Celtics, made an impressive return to action and inspired the Cavs, who snapped a three-game losing streak.

LeBron James scored 24 points, Kevin Love had 19 and Jae Crowder added 17 for the Cavs. "It was great to see him get his first basket and go from there," James said of Thomas. "He is a spark and the jump we needed on our team right now."

The Cavs will play against Boston on Jan. 3, but Cavs coach Teron Lue has said he will restrict Thomas' minutes over the next few weeks, and that he won't play in any back-to-back games.

"I can wait until February," Thomas said of the long-coveted game. "I think we play them in February again, so I can wait and put on a show then."