Irving leads Cavs past Magic for 6th straight win

Orlando Magic's Arron Afflalo, right, shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers' Tyler Zeller during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Orlando Magic's Tobias Harris, left, and Cleveland Cavaliers' Luol Deng watch the ball during the first quarter.

CLEVELAND — Kyrie Irving scored 22 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers won their sixth straight game, 101-93 over the Orlando Magic today.

Irving, chosen MVP of the NBA All-Star game Sunday, paced a balanced offense that extended the Cavaliers’ longest winning streak since they won eight in a row in March 2010. That was LeBron James’ final season in Cleveland.

Luol Deng scored 17 points, while Tyler Zeller and Tristan Thompson each added 16 for Cleveland.

Arron Afflalo led Orlando with 23 points. The Magic have lost 14 consecutive road games and are an NBA-worst 3-25 away from home.

The Cavaliers built an 18-point lead in the first quarter and were ahead by double figures until Orlando rallied in the third. The Magic outscored the Cavs 32-17 in the period and cut it to 72-70 in the early seconds of the fourth.

Cleveland went up 89-81 but Orlando scored six straight points to cut the margin to two again. Zeller’s three-point play, two free throws by Irving and Deng’s 3-pointer pushed the lead to 97-89 with 35 seconds remaining.

Orlando forward Glen Davis, the subject of trade talk leading up to Thursday’s deadline, left early in the first quarter with a sore right Achilles and didn’t return.

Cleveland played without guard Dion Waiters (hyperextended left knee) and center Anderson Varejao (sore back).

The Cavaliers led 26-11 after one. Irving had 10 points, four rebounds and three assists in the period. Orlando missed its first nine shots and fell behind 15-2. The Magic were 3 of 21 from the field in the quarter.

Irving, who had 31 points and 14 assists in the All-Star game, ended the first half with a 3-pointer from a couple of steps behind the line that gave Cleveland a 55-36 lead.

The Cavaliers made it 57-36 early in the third quarter, but Orlando chipped away at the deficit. The Magic cut the lead to 10 midway through the period, and Nikola Vucevic’s two free throws made it 72-68 going into the fourth.

Victor Oladipo’s basket to open the period cut the lead to two points.

Thompson had 14 rebounds for Cleveland. Vucevic scored 20 points for the Magic, and Tobias Harris added 19.

Cleveland has won all three matchups with Orlando this season.

Both teams have been linked to trade talks. Reports have indicated the Cavaliers have told teams Deng is available. The veteran moved into the starting small forward spot after being acquired from Chicago on Jan. 7, but can become a free agent after the season.

In addition to Davis, it’s been reported that the Magic would also be open to dealing Afflalo and Jameer Nelson.

Waiters was injured when he came down awkwardly after a dunk in the second quarter Tuesday night against Philadelphia and didn’t return to the game. The Cavaliers announced he had an MRI today. Waiters said on his Twitter account that the knee is sore, but nothing is torn.

Cavaliers guard C.J. Miles sustained a leg injury while driving to the basket in the fourth quarter. He hit the floor hard and was down for several moments. Miles remained in the game to hit the two free throws before limping to the locker room.

NOTES: While the Cavaliers are listing Varejao as being out with a back injury, he’s been dealing with an assortment of ailments, including a sore knee. The team hopes some time off will help his injuries heal up. ... Orlando’s last road win came on Dec. 16, an 83-82 victory over Chicago. Deng led the Bulls with 26 points in that game. ... The Magic’s 11 points in the first quarter were a season low for any period. ... The Magic lost 87-81 in overtime at Cleveland on Jan. 2 as Varejao tied the Cavaliers record with 25 rebounds.