Cleveland Cavaliers snatch win over Phoenix Suns with Kyrie Irving on song – NBA Recap
The Cleveland Cavaliers secured an important win over the Phoenix Suns at the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix. The Cavs did well to get their noses ahead before half time and held on despite pressure by the Suns to record a 101 – 90 victory.
The Cavaliers have a young side still reeling from the effects of losing LeBron James in the summer of 2010, after which the team virtually collapsed. They have though now found a new ray of hope in the shape of Kyrie Irving, the first overall pick in the
2011 NBA draft, and the rookie was on form tonight.
Irving had a game high 26 points as well as 6 assists as he marshalled the Cavs. The youngster got help from veteran forward Antawn Jamison who notched up 23 on the night. Anderson Varejao only had 8 points but hauled down an incredible 17 rebounds.
Phoenix Suns talisman Steve Nash was excellent as ever, producing amazing plays for his 16 points and 15 assists. Marcin Gortat also had a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards.
The Cavaliers and the Suns went toe to toe in the first quarter, matching each other all the way as neither side backed down. In a high scoring first period, both sides showed some good attacking play and it ended 30 – 30.
Things though were about to change in a dramatic second period. The Suns raced out of the blocks with a 10 – 2 run as they looked to take a grip on the game. Cavs though had other ideas. Cleveland responded with a 14 – 0 burst to overtake their opponents
and then used a 6 – 1 surge to end the half leading at 56 – 48.
Phoenix came out of the interval determined to get back in the game. They had an early 9 – 2 spurt that got them to within 3 points of Cleveland at 60 – 57. The Cavs responded with 7 without reply to take their lead into double digits. The back and forth
continued until the quarter ended how it started, with Cleveland leading by 8 points, 79 – 71.
The home support were expecting a ferocious comeback in the final period, but that never materialized. Phoenix didn’t seem to have enough fire to trouble the Cavaliers who were able to keep them at an arm’s length, finishing the game at 101 – 90.
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