Irving's free throws seal the win. Antawn Jamison had 21 points for the Cavaliers, who also got 14 from Ramon Sessions and 15 from Tristan Thompson.
View full sizeCavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (2) challenges this first-quarter drive by Sacramento's Tyreke Evans during Sunday night's game at The Q. While Irving's 23 points and two free throws in the final seconds won it for the Cavaliers, Evans struggled, missing 12 of his 17 shot attempts and finishing with 10 points. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The last pick in the rookie class of 2011 outplayed the No. 1 overall selection Sunday night at The Q for 47 minutes and 59 seconds.
Sacramento's Isaiah Thomas was motivated to prove there is not a 58-pick gulf in talent between himself and the Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving. The diminutive point guard registered 23 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and was anything but Mr. Irrelevant in leading the Kings to the cusp of victory.
But one of the many reasons the Cavaliers chose Irving at the top of the draft board was for difference-making moments at ends of games when pulses quicken and less-assured players don't want the outcome in their hands. He has delivered two game-winning baskets in his first 28 games and against the Kings produced in the clutch again.
Irving was fouled with 0.4 seconds remaining and the Cavaliers trailing by a point. He calmly sunk a pair of free throws and his team survived a confusing final sequence for a 93-92 victory.
"I just imagine myself back in my backyard, honestly, just shooting my free throws," said Irving, an 84.6 percent foul shooter. "I practice them almost every day with Coach [Byron] Scott and it was just a routine thing."
Irving has made pressure-laden situations appear routine as a Cavalier. He bailed out his teammates and himself after they squandered a 10-point, fourth-quarter lead. The Kings chipped away at the deficit and their comeback was aided by Antawn Jamison and Alonzo Gee, who each split a pair of free throws in the final 2:05. They took the lead with 2.9 seconds remaining as DeMarcus Cousins accepted an in-bounds pass and beat Jamison with a reverse layup.
The Cavaliers (12-17) called time and set up a play for Irving, who had a subpar second half. He finished the night 8-of-21 from the field with 23 points, four turnovers and only one assist. But there was little question who would attempt the last shot. Irving in-bounded the ball to Jamison, who gave it back to the 19-year-old around the 3-point arc. The rookie drove to the basket and was fouled by Tyreke Evans before he came close to attempting a shot.
Because Sacramento was over the limit, Irving headed to the foul line. The Cavs are the league's third-worst team at the line (69.7 percent), but Scott liked their chances with Irving.
"Two big free throws and we had one of our best free-throw shooters on the line," Scott said. "Him and Sessions are our two best. It was great that he had the ball at that particular time and got fouled and was able to go up there and knock them down."
The Kings received two chances in the final 0.4 seconds. An in-bounds lob pass caromed off the rim and into the hands of a Sacramento player as the horn sounded. But officials ruled the clock started prematurely. On the reset, the ball was in-bounded to Cousins, who did not get his desperation shot off in time.
"We got a little lucky tonight, that's all I can say," said Scott, whose club shot 36 percent. "I didn't think we played the way we are capable of playing. I thought we were kind of messing around in the first half. [The Kings] had a lot of confidence they could win the game. We just tried to turn it on. You just can't turn it on and off."
The game spotlighted a rookie class that has been derided for its lack of quality and depth. Cavaliers rookie forward Tristan Thompson played his best game and recorded his first double-double, logging 15 points and 12 rebounds. Thompson, the No. 4 overall pick, has played better in his last two games while recovering from a sprained ankle.
"The media has been the one that said the class isn't that strong," Thompson said. "That motivates us. We want to go out and prove we can play and we are not a weak class."
Thomas entered the game with ample motivation. He got the better of Irving much of the night in the battle of rookie point guards. He was asked if playing against Irving offered additional incentive.
"I would be lying if I said it [didn't]," Thomas said. "He was the number one pick, I was the last pick. I mean why not? That's extra motivation. He's a great player. He's real [fundamentally sound]. He's got talent. Hopefully [when] we play them again we get the win."
Jamison added 21 points for the winners. Playing against his former team, Omri Casspi grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds and scored six points.
Former Cavs forward J.J. Hickson was scoreless with four rebounds in 16 minutes.
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Source: http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2012/02/kyrie_irving_pushes_cleveland.html
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