CLEVELAND (Sporting Alert) — Former Duke Blue Devils star guard Kyrie Irving scored 40 points and knocked down several key buckets late in the game, as the Cleveland Cavaliers picked up a 95-90 victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night.
The point guard, who has been very impressive in the league this season, shot 16-of-24 from the field in his 38-minutes of action.
He was setting a new career high for field goals made, while coming as close as one point short of his career best in total points scored.
“He has all the numbers to be an All-Star, for sure,” Boston coach Doc 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.”
He added: “It’s a hard one for me to pick a guy from a team with 11 wins, but he’s just playing so well.”
Cleveland coach Byron Scott also believes Irving should be on the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
“If you look at the point guards in the Eastern Conference, name one that’s having a better season,” he said. “I’ll wait.”
Tristan Thompson finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and five assists, while Alonzo Gee was the next player in double figures, with 10 points before fouling out.
Rajon Rondo paced the Boston Celtics with 17 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in the defeat.
Kevin Garnett added 16 points and Jared Sullinger collected 12 points and 10 rebounds for Boston, which fell to 20-21 on the season and below .500 again this term.
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Officials: #61 Courtney Kirkland, #79 Kevin Scott, #49 Tom Washington
Attendance: 14192
