If Kyrie Irving Scores 41 Points Every Game, the Cavaliers Can Make the Playoffs

With the Cleveland Cavaliers having lost three straight games, franchise player Kyrie Irving made sure that aforementioned streak of poor play didn't continue against the Washington Wizards.

In a little over 41 minutes, Irving scored a career-high 41 points on 14-of-28 shooting from the field, 4-of-7 from behind the arc and a perfect 9-of-9 from the charity stripe as the Cavaliers knocked off the Wizards in overtime by a final score of 103-96.

This is just the kind of effort the Cavaliers needed from their star player. With the game on the line, Irving would come up big when it mattered most, scoring nine of his 41 points in the overtime period.

Just look at the mockery Irving made out of Glen Rice Jr. with this crossover dribble. 

He wanted this one bad. 

Despite their abysmal record of 2-7, the Washington Wizards are no slouch themselves. This is a team Cleveland will be fighting tooth and nail with for one of those final few playoff spots in the Eastern Conference by the end of the season. 

However, with this victory, the notion that the Cavaliers need Irving to put up monster games like this on a regular basis does rear its ugly head. 

It's unfair to ask that much from one player, even from someone with the clear-cut talent of one Kyrie Irving. 

Remember, all four of the Cavs' wins have come by the slimmest of margins. The Cavaliers defeated the Brooklyn Nets by four points (96-92) on October 30, the Minnesota Timberwolves by one point (93-92) on November 4, the Philadelphia 76ers by two points in double overtime (127-125) on November 9, and it took an extra period to defeat the Wizards Saturday night. 

Wins are wins, but not one of them has been overly convincing. 

Against Washington, it took a superhuman effort from Irving to get his team over the hump and back in the win column. 

The Cavaliers are hoping to once again be playing meaningful basketball come April and May. If Irving has any more 40-plus scoring nights in him, they'd be more than welcome. 

Follow Christopher Walder on Twitter @WalderSports.