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Find out the scoop on the CAVS from award-winning sports writer Bob Finnan.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Game 12: Cavs at Bobcats

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (6-6) 102, CHARLOTTE BOBCATS (3-11) 94
at Time Warner Cable Arena
Monday
RADIO/TV: WTAM/Fox Sports Ohio

WHAT HAPPENED:
The Cavs outscored the Bobcats, 56-37, in the second half to win the game going away. At halftime, though, the Cavs looked dead in the water. They trailed at the intermission, 57-46.

They finished 3-4 on their grueling road trip. They also evened their record at 6-6.

Point guard Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 24 points, seven assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block. He was 9 of 16 from the field, 1 of 1 from the 3-point arc and 6 of 8 from the foul line.

He's scoring a team-high 17.7 points per game, tops among NBA rookies.

He's just coming on as a player. What wasn't expected was forward Omri Casspi's season-high 14 points and seven rebounds. He still can't make a jump shot, but he used his 6-9 frame to get to the basket and had three three-point plays in the third quarter when the Cavs made up a 14-point deficit.

All I can say is: "It's about time." Casspi is a better player than he's shown thus far with the Cavs.

The Cavs continue to get outstanding point guard play from Irving and Ramon Sessions (four points, three rebounds and a game-high nine assists).

Center Anderson Varejao had 12 rebounds. He had 10 or more rebounds in all seven games on the road trip. He's averaging 11.3 rebounds per game, including 4.7 offensive rebounds.

Daniel Gibson was forced to start the second half after Anthony Parker's back tightened up. Gibson's defense was outstanding on Bobcats guards D.J. Augustin (team-high 24 points, eight assists) and Kemba Walker.

The Cavs snapped a four-game losing streak in Charlotte. They hadn't won on the road in this series since Dec. 6, 2008. 

UP NEXT: The Cavs host Golden State at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Quicken Loans Arena. 

STARTERS
SF Omri Casspi (6-9, 225) vs. Gerald Henderson (6-5, 215)
PF Antawn Jamison (6-9, 235) vs. Tyrus Thomas (6-10, 225)
C Anderson Varejao (6-11, 260) vs. Byron Mullens (7-0, 275)
SG Anthony Parker (6-6, 210) vs. Kemba Walker (6-1, 184)
PG Kyrie Irving (6-3, 191) vs. D.J. Augustin (6-0, 180)
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs – G/F Christian Eyenga, G Mychel Thompson
Bobcats - F Eduardo Najera, G Reggie Williams 
OFFICIALS
Monty McCutchen,  Leon Wood,  Haywoode Workman

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