Irving’s 40 helps Cavs stop Celtics

Tristan Thompson dunks for two of his 21 points against the Celtics. Kyrie Irving scored 40 points as Cleveland won.

CLEVELAND — Kyrie Irving scored 15 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter, including several key late baskets, to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 95-90 victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night.

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.

Tristan Thompson added 21 points for the Cavaliers.

Rajon Rondo led Boston with 17 points.

CAVS MAKE TRADE: Memphis traded Marreese Speights, Wayne Ellington, Josh Selby, and a future first-round draft pick to Cleveland for Jon Leuer.

The trade is the first big move by the Grizzlies' new ownership and clears about $6 million in salary in getting Memphis under the luxury tax threshold this season.