The Cleveland Cavaliers (36 - 14) defeated the New Orleans Pelicans (18 - 33) 99 - 84 on Saturday. One night removed from a heartbreaking 104 - 103 home defeat at the hands of Avery Bradley's buzzer beater, the Cavaliers were tasked with taking on Anthony Davis and a feisty Pelicans squad with designs on an eighth playoff seed in the Western Conference. Cleveland proved it was up to the task in the second half of their back - to - back set, jumping on New Orleans early and then pulling away in the final period. The Cavaliers jumped out to a 28 - 20 lead after one quarter despite playing without starting power forward Kevin Love, who was nursing a bruised thigh. Although they trailed by as much as 15 in the second quarter, New Orleans battled back and closed the gap to four points on several occasions throughout the second half. However, Cleveland's stars turned it up a notch when they needed it most, as Lebron James and Kyrie Irving combined for 17 points in a final period that the Cavs won by a margin of 25 - 14. Three Cleveland starters - James, Irving and J.R. Smith - - turned in 20 - point - plus performances, and accounted for the bulk of the home team's scoring on the night. The Pelicans were led by Norris Cole's career - high 26 points, which he supplemented with five assists, two rebounds and a steal. His only blemish on the night was his five turnovers. Anthony Davis was the only other starter to tally double - digit scoring, scoring 24 points, and adding 11 rebounds and two blocks. Jrue Holiday paced the Pelicans bench with 12 points, five rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals. The visitors were largely stymied by Cleveland's suffocating defense, as they managed to only shoot 39 percent from the field and 22 percent from behind the arc. New Orleans remains in last place in the Western Conference's Southwest Division. They head to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves on Monday night. Irving scored a game - high 29 points in spearheading Cleveland's attack. He also managed four rebounds, three assists and two steals, and has now scored over 20 points in four of his last five contests. James was right behind him with 27 points, eight assists, three rebounds and a steal. J.R. Smith was chucking all night along, uncorking 16 three - point attempts and scoring 20 points overall, along with four rebounds, three assists and a steal. Tristan Thompson, who got the starting nod in Love's stead, notably went scoreless over 33 minutes but was a force on the glass, hauling in 15 rebounds while also dishing out an assist. The Cavaliers remain comfortably atop the Eastern Conference's Central Division. They're at home again Monday for a tussle with the turmoil - laden Sacramento Kings.
["PlayerStat(G,'Anthony Davis') has 2 Assists ,has 24 Blocks ,has 11 Defensive rebounds ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Norris Cole') has 5 Assists ,has 26 Blocks ,has 2 Defensive rebounds ,has 1 3-pointers attempted ,has 5 Free throws attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Jrue Holiday') has 4 Assists ,has 12 Blocks ,has 5 Defensive rebounds ,has 2 3-pointers attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'LeBron James') has 8 Assists ,has 27 Blocks ,has 3 Defensive rebounds ,has 1 3-pointers attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Tristan Thompson') has 1 Assists ,has 33 Blocks ,has 15 Defensive rebounds ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'JR Smith') has 3 Assists ,has 16 Blocks ,has 20 Defensive rebounds ,has 4 3-pointers attempted ,has 1 Free throws attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Kyrie Irving') has 3 Assists ,has 4 Blocks ,has 4 Defensive rebounds ,has 4 3-pointers attempted ,has 29 Free throws attempted ,has 4 Free throws made ,has 2 Minutes played ."]