The limitless LeBron James is exhilarating when he is at the top of his game. The Lakers met the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Rocket Mortgage Field House facility to mark the visiting team’s 10th on-road game.
This was an important game for the Lakers to win for three distinct reasons. One, it would’ve taken their away streak to a crazy 10-0. Two, it was LeBron’s first season game against his former team, and three, it was the match that marked one year of the sad demise of Kobe Bryant.
LeBron James delivered to the best of his ability
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The Akron Hammer took the Cavs by storm in the initial quarter. He dropped 17 points in that quarter alone and ensured an important 11-point lead for the team. His turnaround jump shot and three-pointers marked a perfect beginning to the game. However, it was his dunk at the end of the first half that remained the highlight.
The Lakers were leading 63-55 with 5 seconds left on the clock as Bron cruised from the center court to drop a massive unguarded dunk. His drive was so quick that the Cavs defenders appeared to be mere bystanders.
'Bron hammer to end the half. Lakers by 7 🙌pic.twitter.com/bjXeryJLdO
— LakeShow (@LakeShowCP) January 26, 2021
LeBron James ended the first half with 23 points to his name. His three-point shooting and field-goal accuracy remained on-point, and that helped the Lakers stay in the game.
Lakers did not have it easy against the Cavaliers
The Lakers are sitting on the top of the WC ranking, but the Cavs kept them on their toes. The Cavs had big men like Andre Drummond and Jarrett Allen to help them tame the Lakers’ offense. And to an extent, they were quite successful in limiting Anthony Davis, who struggled from the field. Center Marc Gasol also made no mark in the first three quarters, scoring just two points that both came off free throws.
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Mood after a 31-22 third quarter for the @cavs.
Buckle up!#CavsLakers on FOX Sports Ohio & FOX Sports GO. pic.twitter.com/JbO50L1r0s
— FOX Sports Cleveland (@FOXSportsCLE) January 26, 2021
Bron’s former teammate Cedi Osman delivered big as he scored 19 points in his first 28 minutes of play and helped the likes of Collin Sexton and Drummond to tighten the grab on the Lakers.
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By the end of Q3, the score was 87-89 with the Lakers trailing by two.
Read also – Anthony Davis on the Best Part of Having LeBron James as a Teammate: “He’s Always Happy”