Dec 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) gestures to team mates after sinking a three point basket against Toronto Raptors in the second half at Air Canada Centre. Cleveland won 116-112. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
A phenomenal scoring run from Kyrie Irving has lifted his status among FanDuel NBA point guards and has made the Cavaliers an even more dangerous offensive team.
Even when an opposing point guard manages to score 40 points against the Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving still finds a way to post an exceptional FanDuel NBA performance.
Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell poured in a career-high 40 points Sunday night against Cleveland, but failed to lead his team to a victory or outscore his opponent.
Irving topped him with a 46-point performance, as he shot 71.4 percent from the field on 15-of-21 shooting, hit 6-of-10 attempts from 3-point range and knocked down each of his 10 attempts at the foul line.
Fourteen of Irving's points came in the fourth quarter, as the Cavaliers erased a 10-point deficit and totaled 43 points in the period.
The scoring outburst from Irving continued a late season trend, as he has scored 20 or more points in each of his past 18 games. The stretch is perhaps the best offensive run of his career.
For Irving, 1/3 of his total points scored this season have come during his past 18 games, as he has posted 28.5 points a night while shooting 49.3 percent from the field, 38.9 percent from 3-point range and has converted 92.8 percent of his attempts at the foul line.
The five defenders tasked with guarding Irving simply appear baffled, especially when he showcases his exceptional handle.
Classic Kyrie Irving.#CavsLakers @FOXSportsOH pic.twitter.com/GRDGvSnRiy
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 20, 2017
Prior to his scoring binge, Irving was averaging 24.2 points per game, but he has managed to increase his season average to 25.5 points per game, after pouring in 513 points in the past 18 games. The scoring average is three more points per game than his previous career-high.
As a team, the Cavaliers have managed to post 2,060 total points the last 18 times Irving has been in the lineup, averaging 114.4 points per game, four total points more than their season average.
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Cleveland is the fourth highest scoring team in the league, pouring in 110.4 points a night, but has logged just 85 points per game the last two nights Irving has sat out for rest.
FanDuel NBA leagues have taken notice of the productivity of Irving. Wednesday marks the 11th consecutive game his salary in FanDuel NBA tournaments has been at $9,000 or more.
Irving is one of just six players commanding a salary of $9,000 or more in FanDuel NBA play for Wednesday night, even with 16 teams playing.
The lofty price to provide Irving with a FanDuel NBA roster slot has been worthwhile, as he has responded by producing 41.4 fantasy points per game during the 18-game stretch.
The exceptional output of Irving has catapulted him among the elite FanDuel NBA performers and has the Cavaliers piling up points with ease.
Feb 25, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) pushes the ball up the court during the second quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Point Guards
Rationale:
Next: Top Four Shooting Guards For Wednesday
Mar 17, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots the ball over Chicago Bulls guard Denzel Valentine (45) in the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Shooting Guards
Rationale:
Next: Top Four Small Forwards For Wednesday
Mar 21, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) gets past Toronto Raptors forward PJ Tucker (2) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Chicago 122-120 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Small Forwards
Rationale:
Next: Top Four Power Forwards For Wednesday
Mar 20, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles against Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (3) in the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Power Forwards
Rationale:
Next: Top Four Centers And Final Lineup For Wednesday
Mar 16, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) blocks a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Centers
Rationale:
Next: 50 Greatest Players of the 1980s
Final Lineup
PG Kyrie Irving ($9,000)
PG Kemba Walker ($7,700)
SG Avery Bradley ($6,500)
SG Evan Fournier ($5,500)
SF Bojan Bogdanovic ($4,000)
SF Carmelo Anthony ($6,900)
PF Aaron Gordon ($5,400)
PF Willie Cauley-Stein ($6,200)
C Rudy Gobert ($8,800)
