NBA: Cleveland 117, Denver 109

DENVER, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Kyrie Irving scored 23 points to pace Cleveland Friday and the Cavaliers held on in the second half for a 117-109 decision over Denver.

Cleveland scored 42 points in the second period, took an 11-point halftime lead and spent the rest of the game fighting off the Nuggets. It was the fifth road win of the season for the Cavaliers.

Tristan Thompson scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, C.J. Miles had 19 points and Luol Deng had 18.

Cleveland took 16 more foul shots than did Denver and made 13 more.

Wilson Chandler's 23 points led Denver, while both Ty Lawson and Nate Robinson had 19.