Cavs stop Bobcats

Cleveland’s 3-pointers sink Charlotte

By: JournalNow Staff | The Associated Press
Published: January 04, 2012

Rookie Kyrie Irving scored 20 points and veteran Antawn Jamison had 19, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 115-101 win against the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday night.

Cleveland continued its strong 3-point shooting, making 10 of 21 from behind the arc. The Cavaliers made 16 of 26 attempts from 3-point range Sunday, falling one short of the team record in a 98-82 home win over New Jersey. Back-to-back 3s by Daniel Gibson gave the Cavaliers a 103-86 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Rookie Tristan Thompson added 16 points for Cleveland, which moved over .500 for the first time since Nov. 9, 2010, when it was 4-3. The Cavaliers finished last season with a 19-67 record.

D.J. Augustin scored a season-high 26 points for the Bobcats, who have lost four straight since opening the season with a 96-95 home win over Milwaukee on Dec. 26.

Charlotte coach Paul Silas was whistled for a technical foul for arguing with an official in the fourth quarter with the Bobcats trailing 108-91.

Irving, the No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft, matched his season high in scoring and had six assists. He brought the crowd to its feet when he blocked Augustin's breakaway layup attempt in the third quarter.

Thompson, selected by Cleveland with the fourth pick, recorded season highs in scoring and rebounds (9). The rookie power foward also received a thunderous ovation when he blocked Byron Mullens' dunk attempt in the fourth quarter.

Gerald Henderson had 16 points for the Bobcats after being held scoreless in the first half. Mullens, who played one season at Ohio State, scored a career-high 14 points.

CHARLOTTE (101) — Maggette 4-12 13-14 21, White 5-6 0-0 10, Diaw 0-5 0-0 0, Augustin 10-18 2-2 26, Henderson 8-15 0-0 16, Mullens 7-13 0-0 14, Diop 0-1 0-0 0, Carroll 0-2 0-0 0, Biyombo 3-6 2-3 8, Brown 1-2 0-0 2, Walker 1-6 0-0 2, Higgins 1-4 0-0 2. Totals 40-90 17-19 101.

CLEVELAND (115) — Casspi 2-3 0-2 5, Jamison 7-16 3-5 19, Varejao 4-6 1-2 9, Irving 8-10 2-2 20, Parker 4-8 0-0 11, Gee 4-8 0-0 8, Gibson 3-8 0-0 8, Sessions 3-8 5-7 11, T.Thompson 7-16 2-6 16, Samuels 1-3 2-2 4, Hollins 1-3 0-0 2, Harangody 1-1 0-0 2, Eyenga 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 45-90 15-26 115.

Charlotte

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101

Cleveland

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115

3-Point Goals—Charlotte 4-14 (Augustin 4-7, Walker 0-1, Higgins 0-1, Maggette 0-2, Diaw 0-3), Cleveland 10-21 (Parker 3-5, Irving 2-2, Jamison 2-5, Gibson 2-5, Casspi 1-2, Gee 0-1, Sessions 0-1). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Charlotte 57 (Maggette 8), Cleveland 51 (T.Thompson 9). Assists—Charlotte 20 (Augustin 9), Cleveland 25 (Sessions 9). Total Fouls—Charlotte 22, Cleveland 19. Technicals—Charlotte Coach Silas. A—14,173 (20,562).