NBA scores: Irving's career-high three blocks helps Cavs avoid four-game losing streak

Cleveland avoided its fifth 4-game losing streak this season behind Kyrie Irving's 33 points, as the Cavaliers defeated the Bobcats 106-104 in Charlotte.

Irving scored 16 points in the fourth quarter, the last two coming on a pull-up jumper at the foul line with one second left in regulation. Gerald Henderson missed a 30-foot buzzer-beater.

Irving added three blocks to his usually balanced repertoire of statistics. Along with the game-high 33 points and career-high in blocks, he had six assists, five rebounds and four steals.

Chicago took the lead in the Central Division with a 96-89 win over Miami Friday. Indiana dropped its possession of the top spot with a 94-75 loss at Boston. Milwaukee lost its third straight game 115-101 to Houston. Detroit pulled off an 85-84 win over Atlanta, their fourth straight victory.

Elsewhere around the Eastern Conference Friday, Brooklyn survived the Wizards in double-overtime, winning 115-113. Oklahoma City thumped Philadelphia 109-85 and Sacramento topped Toronto 105-96.

View the NBA's full Friday scoreboard here.