Irving powers Cavaliers past struggling Knicks

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (right) puts up a shot past the Cleveland Cavaliers’ defence in the first half during their NBA game at Madison Square Garden in New York on Thursday. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 90-87.

Agencies/New York

Irving fired in a season-high 37 points Thursday, including a layup with 10 seconds remaining, as the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers dropped the Knicks to 4-16 with a 90-87 victory.

“Some nights you need someone to lift you when the other guys are not having great games,” Cavs coach David Blatt said. “Kyrie was the best player on the court without question.”

Irving came into Madison Square Garden averaging 29 points per contest, and the dynamic point guard put on another stellar performance, connecting on 12-of-18 floor shots and 10-of-11 free throws.

“Obviously, when you come to the garden, it’s a special place to showcase your stuff,” he said. “When my number was called, I just shot it. I felt like I was in a great rhythm.”

James had 19 points with 12 assists while Love contributed 11 with as many rebounds for Cleveland (10-7), which ran their winning streak to a season-high five behind Irving.

“Kyrie was spectacular,” said James, who made 7-of-17 shots. “We needed his scoring because we couldn’t make a shot and I took over the point guard duties. It was great to have a combination like that, and we come out with a win.”

The Cavs trailed by as many as seven points in the final quarter, but James scored five quick points on a triple and a breakaway dunk off a Jose Calderon turnover for an 88-85 lead with three minutes, 25 seconds left.

The Knicks pulled to within one on a spinning layup by Amar’e Stoudemire but missed an opportunity to regain the lead when Shane Larkin’s 1.5-metre runner bounced out with 20 seconds remaining.

Irving dribbled down the clock and saw an opening but became frustrated when Blatt called a timeout that proved to be the right decision.

Blatt put the ball back in Irving’s hands, and the Cavs star blew past Iman Shumpert down the left side and kissed a soft layup high off the glass over Stoudemire for a three-point cushion with 10 seconds left.

“I trust him 100%,” Irving said of Blatt. “He drew up a heck of a play and trusted me at the end of the game.”

The Knicks had a shot to force overtime, but icy cold-shooting Carmelo Anthony had his three-point try from the right side over James rim out as time expired.

“I know I could have played a little bit better,” said Anthony, who finished with nine points on 4-of-19 shooting. “I just wasn’t there for my team offensively tonight.”

Tim Hardaway Jr netted 20 points, and Stoudemire added 18 with nine rebounds while Quincy Acy netted a career-best 15 for the Knicks, who have dropped six straight and 15 of their past 17 games.

“They played better at the end,” Calderon said. “We fought again but couldn’t get over the hump. We weren’t able to make that extra play.”

Elsewhere, the Golden State Warriors held the New Orleans Pelicans to 12 second-quarter points while building a 13-point lead, then gradually pulled away in the second half for an 11th consecutive victory. The Warriors defeated the Pelican 112-85

The Warriors (16-2) improved their league-best record while also matching the franchise record for consecutive wins, set initially during the 1971-72 season.

Klay Thompson paced the Warriors with 23 points while Stephen Curry added 19 points and 11 assists.

Anthony Davis hit 14 of his 19 shots en route to a game-high 30 points for the Pelicans (8-9).

Damian Lillard scored 23 points and the Portland Trail Blazers held off the Indiana Pacers 88-82 in a thrilling encounter.

LaMarcus Aldridge collected 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Trail Blazers (15-4), who won for the 12th time in the past 13 outings.

Rodney Stuckey scored 16 points, and forward Solomon Hill added 15 points and eight rebounds for the Pacers (7-12), who lost their third consecutive game.