NBA schedule: Knicks win Battle of New York Pt. II, Lakers lose to Cavs

L.A. is now 15-6 this season, while Chicago dropped to 11-9.

Irving paced the Cavs with 28 points, 11 assists and six rebounds while making four of six three-point shots. C.J. Miles also added 28 points for Cleveland.

Cleveland appeared to have control of the game in the first half, taking a 54-39 lead to the break at halftime. The Cavs scored just 14 third-quarter points as the Bryant led a furious charge back into the game with an array of difficult shots as the Lakers trimmed the lead to six points heading into the final quarter.

(Photo via @Schultz_Report).

This is not a sustainable system. Blatche has been shockingly terrific in his bench role, but as a starter, he has left plenty to be desired as a two-way player. Although the Nets bench had been a plus when healthy, Blatche’s move to starter has left them woefully shallow in the frontcourt.

One thing to consider, however: this is a rivalry game. Though it’s a new rivalry, the quotes from each side prove that these games matter to every player and coach. Professional sports don’t have very many rivalries, but we can look to the college ranks as an example, and there’s one rule that always holds for rivalry games.

Davis will come off the bench Tuesday, according to Jim Eichenhofer of Hornets.com.

Davis has missed the last 11 games with the injury. Davis, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, has played just six games this season.

Irving was averaging 22.9 points and 5.6 assists in 10 games this season but has been sidelined since Nov. 18. The Cavaliers are 2-9 in his absence. Irving played through the injury, which was reported as a hairline fracture to his left index finger, for several games before the discomfort became too much to overcome.

Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer reports that Waiters has not yet resumed full practice and is day-to-day.