Waiters leads Cavs to win

Cleveland picks up victory without injured star Irving in lineup

2/26/2013

CHICAGO — Dion Waiters scored 25 points to help make up for the absence of Kyrie Irving, and the Cleveland Cavaliers snapped an 11-game losing streak against the Chicago Bulls with a 101-98 victory on Tuesday night.

While Irving rested a sore right knee in street clothes on the sideline, Waiters converted a fadeaway jumper and a layup before Tyler Zeller drove along the baseline for a layup that helped Cleveland open an 87-78 lead with 7:33 left in the game.

Shaun Livingston, starting in place of Irving, finished with 15 points as improving Cleveland held on for its third win in the last four games.

Irving hurt the knee in practice last week and was slowed by the injury during recent games at Orlando and Miami.

"It bothered him the last two games," coach Byron Scott said.

"The Orlando game, it bothered him, then the Miami game it bothered him more. So yesterday he was still complaining about it really bothering him and hurting, but he wanted to give it a go. We just didn't think there was a reason why he should.

"If it continues to get worse, he'll probably have to sit out a whole lot longer than expected."

Scott said tests on Irving's knee came back negative and he is considered day to day.

The Cavaliers' next game is Wednesday at home against Toronto.