NBA ROUNDUP: Rookie topples Dallas
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Rookie Kyrie Irving made a driving layup in traffic with 15.8 seconds left to give the Cleveland Cavaliers a 91-88 victory against the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks Saturday night at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
Irving, who is showing a knack for last-second drama in his first season, finished with 20 points and Anderson Varejao added 17 points and 17 rebounds for the Cavaliers.
After Irving's second winning layup in a week, Jason Terry missed an off-balance 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left for Dallas. After a replay review gave the Mavericks a final chance, Brandan Wright missed a desperation shot at the horn. The Mavericks didn't score a field goal in the final 4:13.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 points and passed Elgin Baylor for 22nd place on the NBA's scoring list.
Before hitting his late layup, Irving made a similar one -- after Varejao's seventh offensive rebound -- with 2:36 left to give the Cavaliers an 87-86 lead.
The Mavericks, who were so efficient on the way to their title last season, seemed lost on offense in the closing minutes. Terry missed with 2:14 to go and he made a bad pass in the lane to a cutting Nowitzki, who then had his own miss with one minute left.
Varejao dropped a runner in the lane to put the Cavaliers ahead, 89-86, with 41.4 seconds left. Terry's two free throws got the Mavericks within one, and that's when Irving put the game in his hands.
• Knicks 99, Nets 92: Jeremy Lin scored a career-high 25 points and host New York salvaged the finale of a back-to-back-to-back set by beating New Jersey.
• Clippers 107, Wizards 81: Blake Griffin had 21 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists to lead visiting Los Angeles past Washington.
• Bulls 113, Bucks 90: Derrick Rose had 21 points and 13 assists and Luol Deng added 21 points in his return after missing seven games due to injury, as visiting Chicago easily beat Milwaukee.
• 76ers 98, Hawks 87: Rookie Nikola Vucevic set a career high with 15 points to lead six Philadelphia scorers in double figures and the 76ers dodged back-to-back losses once again by beating host Atlanta.
• Timberwolves 100, Rockets 91: Kevin Love had 25 and 18 rebounds to help host Minnesota win for the fifth time in seven games to reach .500 (12-12).
• Magic 85, Pacers 81: Dwight Howard had 27 points and eight rebounds to lead Orlando past Indiana after the Magic was forced to stay in Cincinnati because of the Super Bowl.
• Pistons 89, Hornets 87: Greg Monroe had 24 points and 16 rebounds as host Detroit edged New Orleans.
First Published February 5, 2012 12:03 am
