Speights scores 18 as Cavaliers rout Magic

2/24/2013

ORLANDO, Fla. — Marreese Speights scored 18 points, Alonzo Gee added 17, and the Cavaliers used a big fourth quarter to run past the Orlando Magic 118-94 on Saturday night.

Kyrie Irving chipped in with 12 points and nine assists for the Cavaliers, who have won two straight overall and snapped a six-game losing streak in Orlando. Cleveland continues its three-game trip today in Miami.

Arron Afflalo scored 16 points for the Magic in their first home game since a trade deadline deal last week that saw the departure of four players, including sixth man J.J. Redick. Two of their three new additions, Tobias Harris and Beno Udrih, finished in double figures with 14 and 10 points, respectively.

Orlando has lost five consecutive games and 28 of its last 31.

The Cavaliers scored the first eight points of the final period to push their lead to 15. The Magic got it down to 11 before another 8-0 spurt made it 95-76 with less than eight minutes to play.

Cleveland maintained its cushion down the stretch, allowing Irving to sit out the entire fourth quarter. Coach Byron Scott said afterward that Irving experienced a little soreness in his knee but was fine.

The Magic played without point guard Jameer Nelson, who missed his second straight game with a left patella contusion.

Irving was especially active, both scoring and distributing. At one point early in the first quarter he received an outlet pass on a fast break and delivered a pass off the backboard to Gee, who dunked it easily.

When they did get into the game, the Magic's new arrivals brought in instant energy, though, helping to stunt Cleveland's early momentum.

It was tied at the half, thanks to balanced scoring on both sides. Orlando had eight players with at least six points in the half.