Irving proved why he was the top pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, scoring 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter – including what proved to be the game-winning layup to help the Cleveland Cavaliers top the Denver Nuggets.

Irving had some help Wednesday and it came from a former Tar Heel, Antawn Jamison. Jamison took advantage of Kenneth Faried’s inexperience and scored 33 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Alonzo Gee came alive in the third quarter, scoring seven straight points and finishing the contest with 19 points.

The Nuggets really lacked energy Wednesday, Lawson had seven turnovers and Nene had four. Corey Brewer missed eight of 10 shots, Gallinari missed six of seven and Faried had four fouls.

Al Harrington and Andre Miller were the only players on Denver’s squad that had anything going. Harrington led the Nuggets with 22 points, while Miller scored 16 off the bench.