Cavaliers top Wizards to end losing streak
2/8/2014WASHINGTON — Dion Waiters scored 24 points, and Kyrie Irving had 23 points and tied a career high with 12 assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers broke their six-game skid with a 115-113 win over the Washington Wizards on Friday night.
The Cavaliers played without their second-leading scorer, Luol Deng, who was out with flu-like symptoms. Irving missed Friday's shootaround because of illness, but managed to hit all 13 free throws he attempted.
John Wall led Washington with 32 points and 10 assists. The Wizards trailed by 14 early in the fourth quarter. Wall led a late charge with nine points in the game's last two minutes. Martell Webster hit the second of two late 3-pointers with 2.9 seconds to go to cut the lead to 115-113.
Cleveland's Jarrett Jack missed two free throws with 2.2 seconds remaining. A scramble resulted with the Wizards getting possession with 0.2 seconds left, but couldn't get off a final shot.
It was the first game for Cleveland following Thursday's dismissal of general manager Chris Grant.
In a high-octane first quarter, the Wizards led 38-32. Washington shot 65.9 percent and Cleveland 60.9 percent.
The hot shooting continued in the second as the Cavs led 67-63 at halftime. Irving hit four free throws just before halftime to put Cleveland ahead for good. The Cavs increased their lead to 93-85 after three.