LeBron James and Kyrie Irving made a statement before Monday’s game against the Nets. Then the entire Cavaliers team did the same — with a different message — on the court by extending their winning streak to seven games with a 110-88 romp at Barclays Center on Monday night.
During warmups James and Irving sported black “I Can’t Breathe” T-shirts. It was a tribute to honor Eric Garner, an African American, who died after being placed in a chokehold by officer Daniel Pantaleo of the New York City police.
In the video recording of the incident, Garner was gasping, saying, “I can’t breathe.”
James followed up his protest gesture with 18 points, four rebounds and seven assists. He spearheaded the third-quarter outbreak that gave the Cavaliers an 85-67 lead after 36 minutes.
After carving out a 50-49 halftime lead, the Cavaliers were neck and neck with the Nets until James provided nine points and five assists in third. It was a decisive quarter in which Cleveland (12-7) outscored Brooklyn 35-18.
With Brooklyn (8-11) missing two of its starters, they simply didn’t have the firepower to get back in the game.
Dion Waiters had his best outing of the season and his most efficient in nearly three weeks. He erupted off the bench for a game-high 26 points. Kevin Love provided his fifth straight double double – 19 points, 14 rebounds.
Matthew Dellavedova made his return to action after sitting out a little over four weeks with a sprained MCL. He contributed two points, three rebounds and three assists in 11 minutes.
The Cavaliers were at their most dynamic in front of Prince William and Princess Kate, who took their seats when the score was 61-61. Cleveland dominated, 49-27, from that point.
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