Kyrie Irving

Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving, dunking as a reserve for the East in last year's NBA All-Star Game, hopes to defend his 3-point contest title in this year's All-Star Weekend.

(AP Photo)

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – Kyrie Irving can safely cross Goal No. 1 for this season off his list. He's been voted an All-Star starter.

Now, he's hoping he can take a step toward another long-term NBA goal: winning three consecutive 3-point contest titles.

Irving hasn't officially been asked to participate in the All-Star Weekend long-distance contest, but the defending champ said he'd "absolutely" do so, in part because he wants to equal Larry Bird's three straight 3-point titles.

"There's only been a few back-to-back champs," Irving said after Friday's shootaround. "My goal is to accomplish what Larry Bird did, which was three years in a row. He was the main reason I wore my warm-up last year. I'm hoping "the Legend" was blessing me and looking on. If they ask me to come back, I'm definitely coming back."

As for returning to participate in the skills contest? That's another story.

"I enjoy watching it instead of being in it," Irving joked. "That's all I have to say about the skills challenge."

Probable starters: Cavs -- F Luol Deng, F Tristan Thompson, C Anderson Varejao, G C.J. Miles, G Kyrie Irving. Bucks -- F Ersan Ilyasova, F John Henson, C Ekpe Udoh, G Giannis Antetokounmpo, G Brandon Knight.

Injuries: Bucks – Carlos Delfino (post surgery, right foot) and Zaza Pachulia (right foot fracture) are out.

Officials: Sean Wright, Brent Barnaky, Leroy Richardson

Up next for Cavs: vs. Phoenix on Sunday at The Q.