Cleveland Cavaliers Celebrates
Trailing by six points with just 33 seconds to go in regulation, the Cleveland Cavaliers went to star point guard Kyrie Irving, who hit back-to-back three-pointers including one at the buzzer, to tie the game and force overtime against the San Antonio Spurs in the marquee match-up on Thursday night. The Cavaliers completed the comeback bid by winning the extra period and netted the impressive 128-125 victory on the road. IN PHOTO: Mar 12, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with guard Kyrie Irving (2) after hitting a three point shot against the San Antonio Spurs during overtime at AT&T Center. REUTERS/Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Trailing by six points with just 33 seconds to go in regulation, the Cleveland Cavaliers went to star point guard Kyrie Irving, who hit back-to-back three-pointers including one at the buzzer, to tie the game and force overtime against the San Antonio Spurs in the marquee match-up on Thursday night. The Cavaliers completed the comeback bid by winning the extra period and netted the impressive 128-125 victory on the road.

Irving finished with a season and career-high 57 points highlighted with a perfect 7-of-7 clip from behind the arc. LeBron James added 31 points 7 assists and a couple of steals. The pair accounted for nearly 70 per cent of the team’s offensive production as they survived a bad shooting night from Kevin Love, who missed 8-of-10 shots for just 8 markers for the night. Irving eclipsed his previous high of 55 points in a 99-94 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers last February.

It was a disappointing finish for the Spurs who had the lead for most of the game. Tony Parker had 31 points and 6 assists, Kawhi Leonard had 24 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists while Tim Duncan had 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocked shots but it all came to waste as the Spurs failed to stop the Cavaliers’ barrage late in regulation and in overtime.

It was the two-man show of Irving and James who was responsible for the Cavaliers great OT performance; Irving had 11 points while James had 7 in Cleveland’s 18-point output in the extra period.

The Spurs had their six-game winning streak snapped with the loss and will try to bounce back against non-playoff teams Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday and New York Knicks on Tuesday. The Cavaliers have won three in a row, including quality West teams Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks, and have won five of their last six games. Cleveland will continue their road trip taking on the Orlando Magic on Sunday and the Miami Heat on Monday.

To contact author of this article, email j.quizon@IBTimes.com.au

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