James, Irving lead Cavaliers to 5th straight victory

LeBron James scored 34 points, but Irving dazzled in the fourth quarter with 19 of his 32 points as Cleveland won their fifth straight game with a 121-115 victory over the Wizards.

With the score tied in the fourth quarter, Irving reeled off 10 consecutive points while the Cavaliers’ defense got some timely stops. Kyrie Irving had 25 points while J.R. Smith added 24 points on eight three pointers for the Cavs.

Garrett Temple led the Wizards with 21 points, and John Wall had 20. The Wizards are off extra rest heading into this Verizon Center event which has offered extra healing time to the likes of Gary Neal (back), DeJuan Blair (leg) and Drew Gooden (calf).

Anthony made 9 for 12.

Carroll missed nine games last month because of a bruised right knee, then played in five straight games before sitting out a loss in Cleveland on Monday because of swelling in the knee.

Durant, who began the day as the NBA’s No. 3 scorer, broke loose for 17 points in the second half on 7-for-8 shooting. 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.

Dallas coach Rick Carlisle sat Dirk Nowitzki, Deron Williams, Zaza Pachulia and Wesley Matthews after Tuesday night’s double overtime victory over Sacramento. Their starting five all scored at least 14 points and totaled 97.

The Spurs extended their best home start to a season to 21 wins without a defeat.

Irving’s fourth quarter was full of athletic, acrobatic and simply breathtaking dribble moves and finishes at the basket.

The win was the Clippers seventh straight, a streak that leads all teams right now and they have done it without injured forward Blake Griffin, who was again out with a torn quadriceps, missing his sixth straight game.

Brook Lopez dropped 24 points and pulled down 13 rebounds for the Nets.

Mario Chalmers finished with 23 points, eight rebounds and nine assists for the Grizzlies. The Trail Blazers were without guard CJ McCollum because of a “clerical error”. This is what makes the Cavs such a tough offensive team to beat, as when a possession turns ugly, they have so many bailout options- James, Smith and Irving. “I’ve been a part of some insane moments from the three-point line, but the way he started off, especially after he says he’s “struggling from the three-point arc, ‘ not shooting like that”. Bradley Beal averages 19.8 points.

James helped stake the Cavaliers to an 18-point lead by hitting all four of his 3-pointers less than four minutes into the third quarter.

However, he was not with any National Football League team this season after being waived by the Bengals on September 5, so Wednesday’s signing with the Texans was welcome news.

The Raptors visit Brooklyn on Wednesday.

Washington led going into the second and was up 35-28 when Ramon Sessions hit a 3-pointer. One game earlier, he had similar remarks for anyone doubting Irving’s worthiness in the February showcase.

Brandon Knight added 18 points and seven assists for the Suns.