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Hornets rout Cavs

Apr 1, 2013 - 2:50 AM New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - Greivis Vasquez had 25 points and nine assists in the New Orleans Hornets' 112-92 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"(Hornets coach Monty Williams) called me out in front of everybody (at the half)," Vasquez, who had just five points and three assists in the first half, said. "When he calls me out I got to respond. I don't take it personally."

Vasquez responded by netting 16 points in the third.

Ryan Anderson nailed five 3-pointers en route to 23 points, while Anthony Davis added 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Hornets, who had dropped six of their previous nine contests.

Kyrie Irving returned to the Cavaliers following an eight-game absence due to a left shoulder strain and tallied 31 points and six assists for Cleveland, which has dropped eight consecutive tilts.

"I thought in the first half we got a little jolt from (Irving's return). But I thought it was much better in the first half than it was in the second half," Cavs head coach Byron Scott said.

Tristan Thomas provided 12 points and 10 boards in defeat.

The Cavs took a 49-48 edge into the break after Irving netted 17 first-half points, but New Orleans seized control of the contest in the third quarter via an 18-2 run.

After layups by Irving and Alonzo Gee, sandwiched around a Davis jumper, gave Cleveland a 53-50 lead, Vasquez poured in nine points during the 18-2 surge that gave New Orleans a 68-55 cushion.

The Hornets led 84-73 after three quarters, and the final score was New Orleans' biggest lead.

Earlier, New Orleans took a 23-21 advantage after a quarter of play, but Cleveland outscored the Hornets 28-25 in the second.

Game Notes

Irving also missed 11 games earlier this season with a broken index finger and three with a hyperextended knee ... The Hornets turned 14 Cleveland turnovers into 21 points.