Kyrie Irving's career-high 55 points power Cavaliers past Trail Blazers

Kyrie Irving made sure the Cleveland Cavaliers didn't need LeBron James on Wednesday night. 

Irving erupted for a career-high 55 points to help the Cavaliers squeak past the Portland Trail Blazers with a thrilling 99-94 victory.

Irving shot 17-of-36 from the field, including 11-of-19 from deep, while adding five assists and four rebounds to power Cleveland to its season-high-tying eighth consecutive victory. 

The point guard's 11 3-pointers set a franchise record, and his 55 points is an NBA season high. 

"What Kyrie did is for the pantheon," Cavaliers coach David Blatt said. "That's something everybody here in Cleveland will be able to relish and treasure."

The two-time All-Star's huge effort allowed the Cavaliers to overcome the absence of James, who sat out with a sprained wrist. Cleveland improved to 2-8 this season without James in the lineup. 

Irving put the Cavaliers on his back from the start, propelling them to a 10-point lead at halftime behind a 28-point effort - the most points he's ever scored in a half. 

But he was far from done, and came through with a number of clutch shots late. He nailed the eventual game-winning 3-pointer with six seconds left to hold off a Trail Blazers team backed by a 38-point, 11-rebound performance from LaMarcus Aldridge.

Irving became the second player in Cavaliers history besides James to reach the 50-point plateau. He also joined James as the only players in the NBA this season with back-to-back 35-point games. 

The scoring outburst marked the sixth 40-plus point game of Irving's career.