Kyrie Irving has been playing lights-out lately, and his team finally caught fire along with him Monday night.
The Cavaliers dealt the Kings a 120-100 loss, snapping a two-game losing skid for the defending Eastern Conference champs. Irving continued his solid stretch, scoring 32 points and dishing out 12 assists for the Cavs. The fifth-year NBA vet has steadily been regaining the All-Star form he developed before fracturing his kneecap in last season’s NBA Finals.
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The former Duke star has had a strong five-game stretch, averaging better than 25 points while shooting 50 percent or better four times.
That’s a good sign for the Cavs as they continue to adjust to Tyronn Lue’s more up-tempo offense in an attempt to stay on top of the East in the season’s second half. The more the team can depend on Irving for scoring, the more it can rest LeBron James for another possible clash with the Warriors.
Stud of the night
Jrue Holiday had a big night off the bench for the Pelicans on Monday. Holiday had 27 points, six rebounds, nine assists and three steals as his team beat the Timberwolves 116-102.
Dud of the night
The Bulls were without Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler because of injuries, forcing Kirk Hinrich into the starting lineup. Hinrich struggled, scoring just three points on 1-of-8 shooting as the Bulls fell 108-91 to the Hornets.
Tweet of the night
Russell Westbrook's athleticism is just unfair. The Thunder guard went for 29 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as his team beat the Suns 122-106.
Russ Westbrook attacks the rim in Phoenix! #OKCatPHX #NBAvine https://t.co/tSxXUoFCSu
— NBA (@NBA) February 9, 2016
Looking ahead
Rockets (27-26) at Warriors (46-4), 10:30 p.m. ET: The Warriors have had a couple of days to rest since surviving a late scare against the Thunder, and now they’ll face a Rockets team that’s trying to find its way. Harden vs. Curry is always entertaining, and it’ll be interesting to see how Josh Smith fits into the equation against the Warriors.