CLEVELAND (AP) – Kyrie Irving’s personal showcases are becoming a common occurrence.
Irving scored a season-high 32 points and the reigning NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers remained undefeated, beating the Houston Rockets 128-120 on Tuesday night.
“He’s growing every day,” said LeBron James, who scored 19 points and had 13 rebounds. “He’s only 24 years old. He’s special.”
Count Houston coach Mike D’Antoni as another Irving fan after watching Cleveland’s point guard take over the game.
“Kyrie is great, he’s got it all,” D’Antoni said. “All you can do is hope he misses shots. You put a hand in his face to make it as difficult as possible.”
Kevin Love scored 24 points as Cleveland placed six players in double figures. The Cavaliers are 4-0 for the first time in 16 years.
James Harden scored a season-high 41 points and had 15 assists for Houston.
Ryan Anderson’s 3-pointer cut Cleveland’s lead to 114-112 with 2:18 to play, but 3-pointers by James and J.R. Smith and another 3 by Irving with 34 seconds left pushed the margin to 125-116.
The game’s tip-off was moved up an hour to 6 p.m. because the Indians and Cubs were playing Game 6 of the World Series across the street at Progressive Field.
James and some teammates made their way across the plaza to Progressive Field for Game 6.
JAZZ 106, SPURS 91
In San Antonio, George Hill had 22 points and Utah made a season-high 15 3-pointers, handing San Antonio its first loss of the season.
Rodney Hood had 19 points, Trey Lyles 15 and Shelvin Mack 14 for Utah, which finished 15 for 31 from 3-point range.
Kawhi Leonard led San Antonio with 30 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 21.
Hill made four straight baskets starting with about 6 minutes left, scoring 10 points to give the Jazz a 96-88 lead with 4 minutes remaining.
Utah built a 12-point lead in the opening quarter by shooting 72 percent from the field and 88 percent on 3s.
The Jazz made seven 3-pointers in the first quarter.
