Cavaliers 110, Suns 101: Kyrie Irving had 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists as visiting Cleveland started strong and led the entire way while knocking off Phoenix.

Spencer Hawes scored 17 of his 19 points in the first quarter for the Cavaliers, who halted a four-game losing streak. Luol Deng added 18 points and nine rebounds and Tristan Thompson had 13 points and seven rebounds.

Goran Dragic scored 20 points and Markieff Morris had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Suns, who have lost seven of their last 10 games to fall two games behind Memphis and Dallas for the final two playoff spots in the Western Conference. Channing Frye added 17 points, Eric Bledsoe recorded 15 points and nine assists and Marcus Morris tallied 14 points for Phoenix, which was just 10-of-36 from 3-point range.

The Cavaliers led by double digits nearly the entire first half before Phoenix cut the margin to two points late in the third. Dion Waiters scored five straight points to start the fourth quarter to give Cleveland a 10-point lead and five consecutive points by Irving catapulted the Cavaliers to a 98-84 advantage with 6:33 remaining.

Hawes’ strong opening quarter helped Cleveland to a 37-24 lead and the Cavaliers sailed into the break with a 60-47 advantage. Phoenix charged to within 75-73 with under two minutes to go in the third quarter before Cleveland took an 82-77 lead into the final stanza.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Bledsoe (knee) returned from a two-month absence and was 5-of-16 from the field while playing 32 minutes. … Cavaliers G C.J. Miles (ankle) missed his 10th consecutive game. … The Suns played without F P.J. Tucker, who was serving a one-game suspension for elbowing Los Angeles Clippers F Blake Griffin in the face on Monday.