James powers Cavs’ victory

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Kyrie Irving heard LeBron James scream to shoot, so he shot.

Buzzer. Swish.

His prayer was answered, and it wasn’t the only one for the Cavaliers on Sunday.

Irving casually dropped a 52-foot 3-pointer, J.R. Smith made eight 3s — highlighted by a desperation one to end the first half — and James recorded his first triple-double with the Cavs in five years as Cleveland won its 18th straight at home, 99-94 over the Chicago Bulls.

The Cavs made 16 3-pointers, three as time was draining from either the game or shot clock.

“I’ve been doing this a long time,” Cleveland coach David Blatt said, shaking his head. “I’ve never seen three like that in one game.”

The Bulls haven’t either.

“The basketball gods were on their side today,” Joakim Noah said.

Irving scored 27 points, but it was his dramatic shot in the third quarter that helped the Cavs move closer to a Central Division title and securing the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

With the Cavs leading 70-60, Irving caught the inbounds pass thinking there were still 22 seconds left on the 24-shot clock. James, who was setting a screen, yelled to Irving and his long shot hit nothing but net.

“It was a crazy play,” he said. “Luckily it went in. There was no skill there. I was just throwing it up at the rim and hopefully it goes in.”

The Cavs notched win No. 50 and improved to a league-best 31-7 since Jan. 15.

Smith scored all 24 points from long range as the Cavs improved to 3-1 this season against the Bulls.