LOS ANGELES — Jarrett Allen scored a season-high 27 factors, Donovan Mitchell added 26 and the Cleveland Cavaliers received their eighth straight sport, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 122-110 on Wednesday night time and spoiling the primary LeBron James’ match after his fortieth birthday.
James, who celebrated his birthday Monday, scored 23 factors and have become the primary participant in NBA historical past to look in a sport as an adolescent and in his 40s. Coincidentally, the marquee sport got here in opposition to the staff that first drafted James total in 2003 and the place he spent 12 seasons over two stints.
The Akron, Ohio native helped the Cavaliers win their first NBA championship in 2016.
Evan Mobley added 20 factors for Cleveland, which enters the brand new yr with an NBA-best 29-4 file, together with a 9-0 mark in opposition to the Western Convention.
Austin Reaves had a game-high 35 factors with 10 assists and 9 rebounds for the Lakers. Anthony Davis added 28 factors and 13 rebounds.
Los Angeles enters 2025 with an 18-14 file, seventh within the Western Convention.
Cavaliers: Sam Merrill sprained his proper ankle throughout the second quarter and didn’t return. Darius Garland had a game-high 14 assists.
Lakers: Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton made their Los Angeles debuts after being acquired Monday in a commerce with Brooklyn. Milton scored six factors and Finney-Smith two.
Cleveland led 96-80 lower than three minutes into the fourth quarter earlier than Los Angeles started to rally. The Lakers acquired as shut as 112-107 earlier than the Cavaliers closed the sport on a 10-3 run. Allen’s dunk with 1:58 left gave Cleveland a 116-107 benefit, placing it out of attain.
The Cavaliers made 18 3-pointers, the seventh straight sport that they had no less than that many from past the arc.
The Cavaliers end their highway journey in Dallas on Friday, whereas the Lakers host Portland on Thursday.
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