Kyrie Irving trying to carry Cavs into playoffs

Kyrie Irving is alone on the lead lap for NBA Rookie of the Year honors.

The only question now is whether the 19-year-old point guard can get his Cleveland Cavaliers into the playoffs this season.

Cleveland won a third straight game for the first time this season by beating the Houston Rockets 118-107 on Sunday, getting 16 points in the final 4:14 of the game from Irving.

The Cavs are now 16-23 and tied in the loss column with the New York Knicks (18-23), who held eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings as of Sunday night.

The Cavs have turned it around since losing six straight, thanks largely to the play of Irving, who was recently named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for the second straight time.

"I feel like our confidence never died," Irving told the Plain Dealer after Sunday's win. "We had to play harder and that's what we are doing right now."

Irving finished with 21 points, six rebounds and five assists against Houston.

During the Cavs' win streak, Irving is averaging 16 points, 8.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 92.8 percent from the foul line (13-of-14). He made all 10 of his free throw attempts against the Rockets. Overall, Irving is averaging 18.3 points and 5.4 assists this season while shooting 40.8 percent from 3-point range and 85.4 at the line.

Cleveland's recent success gives management something to think about.

The trade deadline is Thursday, and veterans Antawn Jamison and Ramon Sessions have value on the market.

Jamison scored a team-high 28 points Sunday and Sessions had 15 off the bench.

Dealing one of those two for a draft pick makes sense if the franchise has given up on the season, but it would damage the possibility of getting Irving and his cast a taste of the playoffs this year.