Irving leads Cavaliers past Celtics, 95-90

Count Boston's Doc Rivers as one coach who thinks Kyrie Irving should be on the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

It's easy to see why after Irving scored 15 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter, including several key late baskets, to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 95-90 victory over the Celtics on Tuesday night.

"He has all the numbers to be an All-Star, for sure," Rivers said. "Whether he makes it or not is another story ... He's a tough kid, which I don't think people give him enough credit for."

The reserves, who are picked by the respective coaches in each conference for the Feb 17 game in Houston, will be announced on Thursday. Irving, who made a strong final case to be on the team, has Rivers' vote despite the fact the Cavaliers have struggled all season.

"It's a hard one for me to pick a guy from a team with 11 wins, but he's just playing so well," Rivers said.

Cleveland coach Byron Scott also thinks Irving belongs in the game.

"If you look at the point guards in the Eastern Conference, name one that's having a better season," he said. "I'll wait."

Irving scored 11 points in the final 2:33 on four layups and three free throws to give Cleveland back to back wins at home for the first time this season and send Boston to its season-high fourth straight loss.

Irving shot 16 for 24 - setting a career high for field goals made - and fell one point short of his career-best scoring total, set at New York on Dec 15.

Asked if he was making a statement to be included on the All-Star team, Irving said, "I was just trying to get a win. It was more of a statement game for the Cavaliers."

Rivers was hoping the Celtics would make a statement, but instead he watched another frustrating loss. The Celtics have dropped four in a row since winning six straight. Rivers blasted his team following Sunday's 103-88 loss in Detroit, a game Boston never led. The latest loss dropped Boston to 20-21.

"I believe we should be better than that - and we're not - so it's hard," Rivers said before Tuesday's game.

Rivers still had a matter-of-fact attitude following the game. "You've got to make your own breaks, and we've got to make ours," he said.

(China Daily 01/24/2013 page22)