Through 20 games this season, guard Kyrie Irving has got to be the frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award.
It might be a two-man race right now between Irving and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio. Rubio is leading all rookies and is ranked third in the NBA in both 8.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game.
Irving appears to be a lock to win the first Rookie of the Month award. He's averaging 17.9 points and 4.8 assists and shooting 51.6 percent from the field.
He scored on a last-second left-handed scoop shot with 2.6 seconds left for the game-winner against Boston on Sunday. On Dec. 30, he missed a shot the buzzer at the end of regulation in Indiana.
"(Coach Byron Scott) gave me the confidence and put the ball in my hands and I made the shot," Irving said.
He never seems to get too high or too low. He said he'd never attempted a game-winner at Duke, even though he had in high school.
"(This one is) much sweeter, especially at this level," Irving said. "It's a dream come true for me, first time in Boston Garden playing against the Celtics.
"You just have to have fearlessness, especially taking shots like that. As long as you have the confidence in your teammates, like my teammates do in me, I'm comfortable taking game-winning shots."
Certain players aren't afraid to put themselves in situations like that. He has a trait that others wish they had.
"He's not afraid to fail," Scott said.
He had a team-high 21 points on Tuesday in the Cavs' 93-90 loss to Boston. The Cavs are off until Friday in Orlando.
In the fourth quarter of the last three games, Irving is averaging 14 points and shooting 76.2 percent from the field (16 of 21).
NOTES, QUOTES
--Trade rumors are swirling that the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks have inquired about G Ramon Sessions. He could be available, but the Cavs would want a first-round pick in return for the veteran point guard. He can opt out of his contract after this season. He dished out a season-high 10 assists on Tuesday in the Cavs' loss to Boston.
--The Cavs' transition defense has been good all season. In the last four games, they've taken it to a new level. They've allowed 23 fast-break points in the last five games. That includes just two by Boston last Sunday. On the season, they allow 9.8 fast-break points per game, second-best in the NBA.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He was proud, a proud father. He grew up watching the Celtics as well and seeing him sitting courtside, I know it was a good feeling, especially seeing me out there." -- Cavs guard Kyrie Irving, on hitting the game-winner in Boston with his father, Drederick, sitting courtside at TD Garden.
ROSTER REPORT
PLAYER NOTES:
--G Daniel Gibson missed the Boston game on Sunday with what the Cavs described as a "stiff neck." It turns out he has a soft-tissue infection. The valuable backup combo guard was treated with antibiotics at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. He returned to Cleveland on Tuesday and will be tested at the Cleveland Clinic, perhaps on Wednesday. His status will be updated. He's missed both Boston games this week and could be sidelined the rest of the week.
--G Mychel Thompson made his first NBA start on Tuesday against Boston. Coach Byron Scott has no reservations playing him, even in tight games like the one Sunday at TD Garden. "The one reason he made the team is he doesn't make mistakes," Scott said. "He's very steady, plays hard and he's good at both ends of the floor." He had eight points against the Celtics on Tuesday, including 2-of-4 from the three-point line. He'll continue to get playing time until injured guards Anthony Parker and Daniel Gibson return.
--Many fans seem to think the Cavs can merely "call up" Canton Charge G Manny Harris, who earned D-League Performer of the Week honors for the week of Jan. 23-29. The Cavs would have to waive a player on the active roster to bring Harris back to the team. Harris averaged 25 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.0 steals in three games for the Charge last week. Harris spent the entire 2010-11 season with the Cavs before he was waived at the end of training camp.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--G Daniel Gibson (neck infection) has missed the two-game set with Boston. He could be sidelined for a few more games.
--G Anthony Parker (tightness in lower back) left Sunday's game with his back injury. He also missed the Boston game on Tuesday.
--F Tristan Thompson (sprained left ankle) had missed two games last week with the same injury. He left Tuesday's game in the second quarter.
ROTATION:
Starters:
--Point guard Kyrie Irving
--Shooting guard Mychel Thompson
--Small forward Omri Casspi
--Power forward Antawn Jamison
--Center Anderson Varejao
Bench:
--Guard Ramon Sessions
--Forward Alonzo Gee
--Forward Tristan Thompson
--Center Samardo Samuels
