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.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the NBA action between the Cavaliers and the Lakers from 11:50am (AEDT), and comment in the section below if you’re following along.
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Scott Pryde
Expert
Match Results: 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
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full stats and report to come after I have a bit of lunch! Thanks for joining me for The Roar's live coverage of the 2015-16 NBA season. I'll be live next Monday with the NBA All Stars game so be sure to join me for that one. Also, be sure to join me from 7:15pm (AEDT) this evening for a bit of NBL action as the Townsville Crocodiles take on the Cairns Taipans. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kobe Bryant with plenty of hugs after the game. Plenty of emotion out there. LeBron James in his post match interview with nothing but praise.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULL TIME The Lakers make a shot, before the Cavaliers dribble out the shot clock. Russell fires from half way and that is that! Solid win for the Cavaliers but plenty of things they need to work on. Celveland Cavaliers - 120 Los Angeles Lakers - 111
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Q4 0' Kobe Bryant goes to the bench for the last time in Cleveland and gets a standing ovation. He get a hug from LeBron on the way off. 37 seconds to go. Cavaliers - 120 Lakers - 109
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Q4 0' Too good from Irving. He drives parallel to the bucket and throws it up and in off the left hand. The Lakers with an easy make at the other end for Bryant but this one is over. Cavaliers - 118 Lakers - 109
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Q4 1' James looks for the lay up and it won't fall, before Clarkson wastes no time getting a three off from the corner. Cavaliers - 116 Lakers - 107
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Q4 1' Shots at both ends made, before Bryant spins out of the post and puts in the reverse lay up. Cavaliers - 116 Lakers - 104
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Q4 2' Time out Lakers. Cavaliers - 113 Lakers - 100
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Q4 2' Clarkson takes a shot from deep and it misses early in the shot clock, before Irving drives and kicks back out to Smith. Back to Irving who drives, pulls up with the step back and knocks the jump shot down. He now has 31. Cavaliers - 113 Lakers - 100
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Q4 3' Full court pressure here from Bryant on James and he commits the foul. The Cavaliers now work it up the floor through James who kicks it out to Smith and he knocks down his third 3 of the night Cavaliers - 111 Lakers - 100
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Q4 3' Bryant makes all three. Cavaliers - 108 Lakers - 100
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Q4 3' Bryant off to the line for three. He takes a shot over Irving from the outside, and is fouled as it misses. Cavaliers - 108 Lakers - 97
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Q4 4' The Cavaliers with a quick miss before Bryant misses a three from the wing. Irving now with the crossover, and that is perfect as he knocks the jump shot down. Cavaliers - 108 Lakers - 97
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Q4 4' Russell makes the free throws. Cavaliers - 106 Lakers - 97
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Q4 4' The Cavaliers will retain the ball with it being tipped off the Lakers. James with the turnover looking to link up with Varejao before Russell races the other direction and he is fouled on the lay up. Cavaliers - 106 Lakers - 95
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Q4 5' Irving cuts inside to James who drives and hands off to Varejao. He lays it in easily and that was a perfectly executed play. Russell with the turnover, before James makes one of his own. Cavaliers - 106 Lakers - 95
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Q4 5' Bryant makes the free throw. Cavaliers - 104 Lakers - 95
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Q4 5' BRYANT! Works his way around a screen from deep, knocks down the three and is fouled. Four point play chance here. Time out called the Cavs. Cavaliers - 104 Lakers - 94
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Q4 5' Varejao pulls up at the top of the key and turns it over trying to pass inside. The Lakers go flying the other way and put the lay iup in through Clarkson. Shumpert now with the miss inside. Cavaliers - 104 Lakers - 91