LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jarrett Allen recorded a season-high 27 points, while Donovan Mitchell contributed 26 as the Cleveland Cavaliers extended their winning streak to eight games by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 122-110 on Wednesday night, spoiling LeBron James’ first game post-turning 40.
James, who marked his 40th birthday on Monday, tallied 23 points, becoming the inaugural player in NBA history to appear in both his teenage years and his forties. Interestingly, this historic game occurred against the team that originally selected James as the first overall pick in 2020, and where he spent 12 seasons over two separate periods. The Akron, Ohio native played a pivotal role in guiding the Cavaliers to their inaugural NBA championship in 2016.
Evan Mobley also showcased an impressive performance for Cleveland with 20 points. The team boasts an outstanding 29-4 record as they enter the new year, leading the NBA, including a perfect 9-0 against Western Conference opponents.
For the Lakers, Austin Reaves led the charge with a season-best 35 points, along with 10 assists and nine rebounds. Anthony Davis contributed 28 points and 13 rebounds to the team’s effort. Los Angeles heads into 2025 with an 18-14 record, positioning them seventh in the Western Conference standings.
Key highlights from the game include Sam Merrill suffering a right ankle sprain in the second quarter for the Cavaliers, while Darius Garland achieved a season-high with 14 assists. On the Lakers’ side, Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton made their debuts following a recent trade with Brooklyn. Milton recorded six points, while Finney-Smith added two to the scoreboard.
A critical moment in the game arose when Cleveland surged to a 96-80 lead early in the fourth quarter before Los Angeles initiated a comeback. The Lakers narrowed the gap to 112-107 before the Cavaliers sealed the victory with a final 10-3 run. Jarrett Allen’s dunk with 1:58 left on the clock extended Cleveland’s lead to 116-107, securing the win.
An essential statistical highlight from the game was the Cavaliers’ proficiency from beyond the arc, sinking 18 three-pointers, marking their seventh consecutive game with at least that many made.
Looking ahead, the Cavaliers will conclude their road trip with a matchup against Dallas on Friday, while the Lakers are set to host Portland on Thursday.
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