Kyrie Irving takes control as Cavaliers rip Raptors

While the Washington Wizards try to promote John Wall’s case for the NBA All-Star Game, Kyrie Irving put on a show to illustrate why the Cleveland Cavaliers think he should get the nod.

Leah, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in June of 2014, wore her James jersey to the game, watched James score 34 points and then for the big treat, she visited with James and other Cavaliers, including Kyrie Irving, in the locker room after Cleveland’s 121-115 victory. There is a chance that Toronto will win on the road, as they have already beat the Cavs this season and they know how to beat them. “It’s no secret, they’re better than us”.

With Irving getting his spot back, it will also mean that two guards holding up the fort could be seeing a dip in their playing minutes – Matthew Delladedova and Mo Williams.

The performance was a big moment for Irving, who faced almost seven months of rehab after being injured in Game 1 of last season’s NBA Finals. “But it sure didn’t look like that tonight”.

San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) drives to the basket around Utah Jazz center Jeff Withey (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016, in San Antonio. The Wizards (15-18) countered with their own barrage from beyond the arc, eventually tying the game 95-95 with 10:53 remaining.

It was a close game throughout the night as the teams were tied after the first quarter and still were at a deadlock by halftime.

James had 20 points and seven assists while sitting out the fourth quarter and J.R. Smith made a season-high eight 3-pointers, accounting for all of his 24 points, on a night when all five Cavs starters scored in double figures. “To be out months and still be able to come out there and shake and bake like he’s doing is remarkable”.

“Too much Kyrie”, Temple said.

“He’s one year ahead of me, battling for a few years now”, Irving said of Wall. “He was hitting some tough, tough shots”. “If he continues to play the way he’s been playing, but also progress in his game over the years, he can do something that’s very special”.

James and Still, the daughter of National Football League defensive end Devon Still, have had an ongoing friendship since the pair first met last season at another game. Washington has lost two straight and four of five since winning four in a row.

PHOENIX – Mirza Teletovic scored 19 points including five of Phoenix’s season-high 19 3-pointers and the Suns needed them all to snap a nine-game losing streak with a win over Charlotte. The Cavaliers have won four straight since moving Thompson into the starting lineup over Timofey Mozgov….

Knicks 98, Heat 90: Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points, and NY shot 56 percent from the field to snap a streak of eight consecutive losses to host Miami. In 31 outings this season, LeBron has tallied 20 points or more 26 times and has done so in 33 of his 39 regular season matchups with the Wizards, including each of the previous 10.