Irving rising to occasion

OAKLAND, Calif. — Maybe Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving should just skip the first two game of any future Finals.

Two years ago, Irving suffered a fractured kneecap in Game 1. The Cavs lost the title to the Warriors. Last year, in Games 1 and 2 of the Finals, Irving shot .333 (12-of-36) and averaged 18 points. But in the last five games, he shot .508 (60-of-118), averaged 29.6 points, including a game of 41. The Cavs became champs.

There is a similar pattern this year. Entering Monday’s Game 5, Irving is riding two standout efforts: 78 points and 31of-56 shooting (.554). Those games came after he was a blight on the Cavs’ souls, scoring 43 points but shooting .400 (18-of-45) and being outplayed from end to end.

Guess he’s just a big moment guy.

“It’s a time to definitely show everything that you’re made of in those moments,” Irving said of his rise-to-the-occasion games, especially when the Cavs have faced elimination.

Like in Game 4. Most of humanity, except for the Cavs and selected patrons of mental wards nationwide, figured the Warriors would close out the Cavs. Oops.

The Cavs put on an offensive explosion, including 40 points by Irving who nailed seven of the team’s Finals record 24 3-point shots.

“I definitely failed a few times. But it definitely doesn’t affect me going in, nor does it affect the mindset of going in and just leaving it all out there on the floor,” Irving said. “There’s no other option. So you bring out everything that you have in your arsenal and everything that you work hard for and then leave it all out there on the floor.”