Irving plays well (again) as Cavaliers top Bobcats

Associated Press

charlotte, n.c.

Rookie Kyrie Irving is making the transition from college to the NBA look pretty easy even though he insists it’s not.

The No. 1 pick in the draft continues to produce big numbers, scoring 25 points and adding seven assists Monday to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 102-94 win over the Charlotte Bobcats. The Cavaliers finished their longest road trip of the season with a 3-4 record.

“It hasn’t been easy,” said Irving, who came into the game averaging 17 points and 5.1 assists per game. “I mean it’s gone pretty well, but it’s definitely not easy. The back-to-back games and the travel, I mean, it’s not an excuse, but it’s something I’m trying to get used to.”

Irving called the transition to pro ball “an ongoing process.”

“Every single day you try to learn something new,” Irving said. “It’s not easy but I’m enjoying this process and that’s the most important thing for me.”

Bobcats coach Paul Silas has been impressed, saying Irving is pretty good now but will be “awesome” in a couple of years once he learns the ins and outs of the NBA game.

Irving has now scored 45 points in his two games against the Bobcats.

“He’s going to be terrific,” said Silas. “He understands the game. He penetrates to the hoop. He can shoot the basketball.”

The Bobcats led 94-93 with less than two minutes to play, but the Cavaliers closed out the game by scoring the final nine points, getting a pair of key inside baskets from Anderson Varejao, who finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

The Bobcats simply couldn’t hit a shot down the stretch, much like most of the second half.

Antawn Jamison added 20 points and seven rebounds for the Cavs, who returned to .500 on the season at 6-6.

Omri Casspi played a big role in Cleveland’s second half comeback with 14 points and seven rebounds with most of his damage coming in the third quarter.