Irving Outshines Davis As Cavs Top Hornets

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving scored more points in the 4th quarter (20) than any member of the New Orleans Hornets scored in 4 quarters. In the end, it was too much as the Hornets fell in Cleveland by the score of 105-100.

Irving finished with 35, helping the Cavs break a tie game late by scoring 18 of his team's 20 points during a stretch. The issue for New Orleans was an inability to make him feel uncomfortable.

"Kyrie really took the game over and put his team on his back. We did a bad job trying to be physical with him," explained Hornets guard Austin Rivers. "We just let him walk in the lane and get buckets. You've got to take some hard fouls and make guys earn it at the line, and we didn't."

The game was nationally televised by ESPN and promoted the last two number one overall picks in the NBA draft in Irving and Hornets rookie Anthony Davis. Irving was electric, while Davis didn't make his first basketball until the 2:08 mark of the 4th quarter, though he was a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line. Davis finished with 12 points and 4 rebounds.

Rivers started for Eric Gordon, who sat out as he has yet to play on back-to-back nights as he recovers from knee surgery. Rivers finished with 11, while fellow starters Robin Lopez (15), Greivis Vasquez (13) and Davis (12) combined for 30, still 5 points less than Irving.

Brian Roberts had a nice scoring night off the bench, leading New Orleans in scoring with 17. Jason Smith had 12.

The Hornets will return to the Crescent City for a 3 game homestand. First up, a Friday night showdown with the Dallas Mavericks. Tip-off is set for 7:00.