Wrap-Up – The Cavaliers ran out to a 22-4 and eventually extended their edge to 26 points. But the Suns chipped away throughout the second half, eventually tying the game on a Shannon Brown jumper. Phoenix went on to take a four-point lead with 19.5 seconds to play, but Daniel Gibson’s fifth three-pointer of the game got them to within one. Sebastian Telfair split a pair of free throws and Kyrie Irving’s jumper on the Cavs final possession drew iron – sealing the 107-105 loss
Dion Waiters led the Cavs with 23 points, going 9-of-13 from the floor, including 3-for-5 from long distance. Kyrie Irving added 15 points, Alonzo Gee, 14. Anderson Varejao doubled-up with 14 points and 10 boards.
Turning Point – Former Cavalier Shannon Brown was the catalyst for Phoenix late in the third quarter. With the Wine and Gold nursing a dozen-point advantage – 83-71 – with just over two minutes to play in the period, Brown took over – scoring Phoenix’ final five points of the third and five of the first seven in the fourth. When the run was done, the Suns had tied the Cavaliers at 83-apiece.
Game Ball – Daniel Gibson The man picked 17 spots behind Brown in the 2005 Draft was clutch once again on both ends of the floor. On the night, Boobie went 7-of-9 from the floor, canning five of the seven three-pointers he attempted – including a bomb from the corner with 13.1 seconds to play that got Cleveland to within a deuce.
By the Numbers – 21 … Cavaliers’ lead after the first quarter in Phoenix. The last time Cleveland led by three touchdowns after one quarter was January 31, 2010 against the Clippers.
Quotable – Gibson on the Cavaliers’ growing pains …
“I think we see what we’re capable of doing. We get up by 25 and it’s like, ‘Ok, we’ve got talent.’ We’re down 20, we come back and tie the game and think: ‘We’ve got talent in here.’ But we need to understand: when we’re up a certain amount, you have to play the game a certain way. When you’re down, you have to play a certain way. It’s the pains you hate to go through, but in the process we’re going to be a whole lot better for it. ”
Seen and Heard – In the media room, former Cavs GM Jim Paxson was making the rounds – saying hello to some familiar faces. On the floor, seated opposite the benches at center court was Dodgers centerfielder, Matt Kemp.
Up Next – The Cavaliers begin to make their way back east, beginning with a Sunday evening matchup with in Oklahoma City – where they snapped the Thunder’s 14-game home win streak last March. The roadie wraps up two days later as the Cavs make their first-ever trip to the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn to face the Nets.