NBA: Cleveland 98, Indiana 87

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CLEVELAND, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Kyrie Irving, returning from a three-game absence brought on by a concussion, scored 22 points Wednesday in sending Cleveland to a 98-87 win over Indiana.

The Cavaliers had an 18-point lead going into the fourth quarter and easily held on against an Indiana team struggling through an outbreak of injuries that has resulted in a five-game losing streak.

Irving suffered a concussion Feb. 7 when he was kneed in the head during a game against Miami. He hit 8-of-12 from the field and played 37 minutes in his return.

Semih Erden had a career-best 18 points for the Cavaliers while Ramon Sessions and Antawn Jamison had 13 each.

Indiana played without Danny Granger (ankle), George Hill (ankle) and Jeff Foster (back). Darren Collison scored 18 points for the Pacers and Roy Hibbert had 17.

Indiana shot only 36 percent from the field.