LeBron James, Kyrie Irving pace Cleveland past Washington Wizards

And a healthy Kyrie Irving gives the Cleveland Cavaliers an MVP-caliber player, according to LeBron James. James would tie the game at 37 with 6:54 remaining in the first half. But James voted for Irving on Twitter Monday (along with Kevin Love, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony) and believes Irving belongs in the game regardless of the injury and small sample size to his season. That’s a very fair statement but tonight it was Irving who proved his worthiness of an All-Star bid.

Irving was sensational, scoring 32 points on 14 of 22 shooting in just his seventh game back after missing the start of the season due to a fractured kneecap. They combined for 12 in the fourth quarter. Otto Porter Jr.is grabbing 5.7 rebounds and Ramon Sessions is dishing 2.7 assists.

Andre Drummond had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Pistons, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 21. Wall knocked down all four of his three-point attempts but missed both of his free throw attempts, figures.

Now healthy, he and the Cavaliers – with no one looking capable of truly challenging them for Eastern Conference supremacy – have the next few months to slowly round into form ahead of returning to the Finals to face whoever manages to make it out of the three-way steel cage match between the Warriors, Spurs and Thunder for supremacy in the Western Conference.

When James and Irving are on like they were against the Wizards, it allows Smith to float around the three-point line and then unload on catch and shoot situations.

The Denver Nuggets put an end to their six-game slump as they skirted past the Minnesota Timberwolves 78-74.

LeBron and Leah Still’s relationship goes back slightly farther than that, as James presented her the Jimmy V. Perseverance Award at the ESPY’s past year.

As aforementioned, Smith finished up with five three-pointers on the night and 25 points, as he benefited greatly from having James and Irving drawing so much attention. Despite the loss, Washington would shoot 55.3 percent from the field and an even better 58.3 percent (14-of-24) from behind the arc.

The Washington Wizards (15-17) are coming from a 97-75 loss to the Miami Heat on Sunday.

The man who has won 29 East player of the month awards still has that one fresh in his mind as Cleveland (23-9) starts its longest road trip of the season. The Cavaliers are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Washington.

James, who sent Still a Christmas gift, was excited to see her. He says her presence “absolutely” provided some extra motivation as he went for 34 points, 10 rebounds and four assists (all team highs) in Cleveland’s 121-115 win.

It is worth mentioning Irving’s last two outings came against John Wall and Kyle Lowry, who are generally considered among the upper tier of point guards in the league and could stand in Cleveland’s way come playoff time.

Mavericks 100, Pelicans 91: Raymond Felton scored 22 points in a game in which Dallas chose to rest four starters, and the Mavericks defeated host New Orleans.