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James, Irving lead Cavaliers past Hornets

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets in the first half.

CLEVELAND >> LeBron James and Kyrie Irving scored 23 points each and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Charlotte Hornets 114-103 on Wednesday night.

The Cavaliers bounced back from a home loss Monday to Detroit in which James tied a season low with 12 points.

Kemba Walker added 20 points for Charlotte, which had won four straight on the road and five straight overall.

Cleveland used a 40-point second quarter to build a 63-52 halftime lead and dominated the second half, pushing the lead to 24 points in the fourth quarter.

James shot 5 of 18 from the field, missed all four of his 3-pointers and had six turnovers Monday. He put that performance in the past quickly, hitting 8 of 13 shots with seven rebounds and seven assists in 31 minutes while sitting out the fourth quarter.

Irving, bitten by bed bugs in his hotel room Saturday night in Oklahoma City, was limited to nine minutes Sunday against the Thunder. Against the Hornets he scored 30 points on 10-for-17 shooting.

Channing Frye, acquired in a trade last week, hit four 3-pointers and finished with 15 points while J.R. Smith scored 16.

Frank Kaminsky scored 16 points while Al Jefferson added 12 for the Hornets.

The Hornets beat the Cavaliers 106-97 earlier this month in Charlotte even though Walker and Jefferson were out with injuries. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist played in that game but had season-ending shoulder surgery last week.

TIP INS

Hornets: Jefferson played his third game after missing the previous 23 following knee surgery. … Spencer Hawes (sore lower back) missed his third consecutive game. … Charlotte fell to 6-2 in February.

Cavaliers: James moved into third place in team history in rebounds (4,676). … Mo Williams was diagnosed with swelling in his left knee in a visit to Dr. James Andrews on Tuesday and played four minutes. … Iman Shumpert (sprained left shoulder) missed his third straight game, but might return to practice Thursday.

UP NEXT

Hornets: At Indiana on Friday.

Cavaliers: At Toronto on Friday

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