Expert
The Cleveland Cavaliers might have been able to record a nine point win at home over the luckless Los Angeles Lakers, but it has come at what could potentially be a huge cost with Kevin Love appearing to pick up an injury.
Right on the stroke of half time, with the Cavaliers leading by double digits, Love appeared to go for a hook shot. While a foul was called with Tristan Thompson tapping it back in, Love would walk, rather gingerly straight off down the tunnel, nursing his left shoulder.
It was the same shoulder Love injured during the last post-season, ruling him out of the NBA finals. While the Cavaliers haven’t released any specific details, fans will be praying it isn’t too bad.
The Cavaliers were able to overcome the loss, but in Kobe Byrant’s last game in Cleveland the Lakers fought gallantly all the way to the end. They brought on numerous runs that had the Cavaliers scampering and calling time-outs to try and return the match to order.
Bryant himself, would score 17 points but only shoot five from 17 in what wasn’t his best display. He did however, chip in with six rebounds and three assists.
The real stars for the Lakers were their young guard combination of Louis Williamson and Jordan Clarkson. Every time they fell badly behind, they would spark a run that brought them back into the game. Between them they score 50 points, shooting seven three pointers from 11 attempts.
The biggest problem for the Lakers was that they couldn’t shut down the deadly Cavaliers combination of Kyrie Irving and LeBron James. Irving scored 35 points, while James had a double double of 29 points and 11 assists.
Combine that with 13 rebounds for Tristan Thompson, seven of them on the offensive glass and it is not hard to see why they ran away from the Lakers in the end.
The Cleveland Cavaliers certainly have plenty to work on though. Switching off for various periods of the game and being outscored by 10 in the final quarter, just won’t be good enough against some of the stronger teams.
Both teams now join the rest of the league on the All-Stars break, before playing home games. The Cavaliers host the Chicago Bulls and the Lakers host the Spurs, in what will be two tough games.
Cleveland Cavaliers – 120
Los Angeles Lakers – 111
It’s a case of the top taking on the bottom when the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Los Angeles Lakers at the Quicken Loans Arena. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 11:50am (AEDT).
The Cavaliers come into this game on top of the Eastern Conference, while the Lakers are all the way down the bottom of the Western Conference.
In saying that, the Cavs have just struggled in the last week. After a strong start under new coach Tyronn Lue, they lost back-to-back games against the Charlotte Hornets and Boston Celtics, with unconvincing wins against the Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans on either side.
While their defence has been solid, their attack is letting them down. Creativity, and performing the plays that Lue wants them to do has fallen by the way side, and it is hurting their ability to score.
However they did have a 20-point win over the Sacramento Kings in their last outing.
The Lakers have had a season to forget. At 37 games back from the Golden State Warriors, with a record of 11 wins and 43 losses, they need change.
With a low shooting percentage a common feature, and their defence not good enough to shut other teams down, it is not hard to see why they are losing a majority of their games.
Prediction
Cavaliers by 16.
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