LeBron James scored 26 points and Cameron Anthony scored 24 points while shooting six three-pointers, and the Los Angeles Lakers ended the Cleveland Cavaliers' three-game winning streak on Friday night with a 113-101 victory.
Russell Westbrook contributed 19 points and six rebounds to the Lakers, winning for the third time in four games with a tough start to the season. James and Anthony, a 19-year NBA veteran of the Lakers, took control of the game, with Anthony shooting three three-pointers amid growing cheers from new fans at staples Center.
Rookie Evan Mobley led the Cavaliers by 23 points on Figueroa Street, about two miles from the galen center, where he played for Southern California last season.
Ricky Rubio scored 18 points, Laurie Markcannen added 17 and Darius Garland had 18 points and 11 assists on the third leg of the Cleveland Cavaliers' five-game road trip. When the Lakers pulled away in the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers were in trouble, hitting 12 of their first 14 shots and shooting a nearly six-minute drop.
James missed nine of his 10 three-pointers, but had eight assists in a game against his old club after he returned from missing two games with a sore right ankle.
The Cavaliers' recent strong performances ended with an effort against the Lakers. Cleveland, who has beaten three potential title contenders in the first three games, has made impressive efforts on the young player roster, beating Atlanta, Denver and the Clippers.
The Lakers' big roster reboot is still an eventful autumn, but the win was the most encouraging of their young season. After adding 12 new players to its roster and subsequently bragging about it in preseason, despite the star-studded roster, it's predictable that Los Angeles has struggled with teamwork and cohesion.
Cleveland led by 11 points in the first half, and then the Lakers finally got some defensive stops. Led by Dwight Howard and Avery Bradley. Los Angeles ended the first half with a 21-10 score.
The Lakers again led 15-3, leading 88-85 at the end of the third quarter.
prompt
Cavaliers: Isaac Okoro missed his second game with a left hamstring strain. ...... Collin Sexton scored nine points on 2-of-9 shooting. ...... Kevin Lofoot scored 4 points in 16 minutes.
Lakers: James didn't decide to play until shortly before the game started, but he had no obvious limitations. ... Wayne Ellington (left hamstring strain) was technically available but didn't play. After returning to the club he left in 2015, he still hasn't played for the Lakers.
next
Cavaliers: Saturday at the Suns.
Lakers: Sunday's home game against the Rockets