We’ve come to expect Kyrie Irving to close out games for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and we look back at one of those times against the Philadelphia 76ers in this week’s Flashback Friday.
Although I have been a little critical of the Cleveland Cavaliers point guard lately, Kyrie Irving provides many more highlights than anything else. Before LeBron James came back home, it was mostly the Uncle Drew solo show in the Land. With the Sixers in town tonight, it’s only right to take a quick glance back on when numero dos did his solo dance in the fourth quarter and two overtimes on the team from Philly on November 9, 2013.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs leaned on the back of the Ankletaker in a 127-125 W. It was a back-and-forth game the whole way, with Kyrie and then-two guard Dion Waiters locked in a tight one with Michael Carter-Williams and Evan Turner doing work for Philly. It was the resilience of these young Cavs that was a great sign for the future.
The Ankletaker was picking his spots to attack and dish throughout the game. He had 39 points and 12 dimes at the game’s conclusion, but it was when he did it that was so impressive. As Cavs fans, we know what the dude does when it matters most.
Our “Mr. Fourth Quarter” had 13 of Cleveland’s 32 points in the closing period to answer a huge 37-point third quarter for the Sixers. When the pressure’s on, the Cavs have always known who to call: Mr. FOURTH quarter (I tried to make it with the cadence of Ghost Busters for some reason).
The Cavs needed every bit of Uncle Drew’s playmaking to get the W as he opened up shots for Waiters, who had 24 points, and Tristan Thompson (19 points). Double T was his usual self on the glass, too, with six offensive boards and ten rebounds in total. Let’s not dismiss veteran Jarrett Jack’s 20 points and five dimes, either.
Nonetheless, it was the perseverance of Irving that eventually finished off the pesky visitors. He nearly got a nasty up-and-over to go in at the end of regulation, but it just rimmed out. In the first overtime period, he was getting the others involved with some great dishes. There was eventually another miss on a last shot opportunity, though.
The second time around, Irving was back in attack mode. He had seven points in the second OT, including a layup through the heart of the Philly D. He was way too quick for a double team from Carter-Williams and Spencer Hawes.
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The third time was the charm. Yes, yes indeed.