(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Los Angeles, CA -- The Los Angeles Lakers got off to a sluggish start, as the Cavaliers jumped out to a 27-21 lead in the first quarter. Los Angeles trimmed the Cavaliers lead to just one point by halftime, before outscoring the Cavs 81-51 en route to a 128-99 victory at the Staples Center.
LeBron James had a quiet 8 points and 2 assists at halftime, but came out a different animal for the remainder of the game. The longtime Cavaliers superstar led a decisive run during the third quarter and continued to pour it on in the fourth, leading the Lakers, who haven't lost a game since Christmas, to yet another win. When the Cavaliers appeared to be crawling back into the game,l James pulled up and knocked down a dagger three-pointer to boost the Lakers to an 18-point lead. In the third consecutive game without NBA star Anthony Davis, the Lakers received a terrific game from big-man Dwight Howard, who scored 21 points and pulled in 15 boards off the bench for the Lake Show.
In his first time facing LeBron since his days in Minnesota, Cavaliers forward Kevin Love led all teammates in scoring with 21 points, and grabbed 11 rebounds, marking his sixth double-double of the 2019-2020 season. Love was not the only Cavalier with a double-double, Tristan Thompson scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Monday night's loss to the Lakers snaps a two-game win streak for the Cavaliers, who will stick stay in LA to take on the Clippers on Tuesday. The Los Angeles Lakers have now won nine games in a row, and are undefeated in the year 2020. The Cavaliers and Clippers will square off on Tuesday night, tip-off set for 10:30 pm ET at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Check out highlights from tonight's game below!