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Sports

Cavs handle Pacers in Irving's return

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

Cleveland, OH – Kyrie Irving came back from a three-game 87 victory over the shorthanded Pacers.

Irving, who suffered a concussion during a February 7 game at Miami when he was kneed in the head, also had five assists for Cleveland, which improved to 2-2 on its nine-game homestand.

Semih Erden set a career-high with 18 points to go with eight rebounds, while Ramon Sessions and Antawn Jamison each netted 13 points in the win.

The Pacers, playing without Danny Granger (ankle), George Hill (ankle) and Jeff Foster (back), have lost a season-high five straight games. Darren Collison and Roy Hibbert led the way Wednesday with 18 and 17 points, respectively.

"Good teams don't lose this many games in a row," said Pacers forward David West, who had 10 points and 10 rebounds but shot just 4-for-15 from the field. "So right now we can't call ourselves a good team."

Irving came out in mid-season form, hitting 5-of-6 from the field in the first quarter. Cleveland used the rookie's 12 points and a trio of three-pointers from Omri Casspi to build a 32-20 cushion.

"[Irving] really looked fresh and rejuvenated," Cavs head coach Byron Scott said. "He was more efficient on the offensive end and the defensive end."

The Pacers made just 5-of-20 from the field in the second quarter, which saw the hosts lead by as many as 21 when Daniel Gibson drained a three-pointer for a 46-25 cushion five minutes in.

Gibson sprained his ankle in the third quarter and did not return, but the Cavs never had their 56-38 halftime lead seriously threatened.

Despite shooting just 32 percent from the field in the third quarter, Cleveland held a 79-61 advantage heading to the fourth and led by double digits until the final minute.

Alonzo Gee's thunderous two-handed dunk with just under three minutes to go put the exclamation point on the lopsided decision.

Game Notes

Cleveland welcomes former first son LeBron James and the Miami Heat on Friday...The Pacers will open a three-game homestand versus the Nets on Thursday...The Pacers had won six straight against the Cavs, including an overtime win in Indianapolis on December 30.