LeBron returns home! Doncic scores 29 but it’s in vain; LeBron only puts up 11 as the Cavaliers dominate Lakers by 30 points, extending their winning streak to five.

On January 29th, during the NBA regular season, the Cavaliers hosted the Lakers. The first half was tightly contested, with the Lakers trailing by just 2 points. However, the third quarter saw a dramatic shift as the Lakers fell behind by 20 points in that period alone. In the final quarter, the Cavaliers pulled away decisively, and both teams rested their starters early, turning most of the last quarter into garbage time. The game ended with the Cavaliers winning 129-99, a 30-point blowout over the Lakers.

Statistics:

Lakers: LeBron James 11 points and 5 assists, Deandre Ayton 10 points, Luka Doncic 29 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, Vincent 11 points, Bronny 8 points.

Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell 25 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, Jarrett Allen 20 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, Wade 11 points, Allen 17 points, 9 rebounds, Hunter 19 points, Bryant 10 points.

Game Progress:

In the first quarter, the Cavaliers started aggressively with a 7-0 run, but LeBron’s consecutive scores and assists helped the Lakers respond with a 12-0 run to take the lead. Tyson’s three-pointer finally stopped the bleeding for the Cavs, and Porter’s three-pointer put them ahead again. The teams then battled closely, tied at 15, 17, and 24 points. At the end of the quarter, the Lakers scored 4 straight points while Hunter missed a buzzer-beating three. The quarter ended with the Lakers leading 28-24.

In the second quarter, Vanderbilt’s dunk extended the Lakers’ lead, and Doncic’s mid-range shot pushed it to an 8-point advantage. The teams continued to fight hard, with Doncic hitting a tough three-pointer to give the Lakers double-digit lead. But the momentum shifted as the Cavaliers regained their rhythm, going on an 11-2 run to cut the deficit to just 1 point. Hayes’ dunk stopped the Lakers’ run. Late in the quarter, Tyson’s three-pointer gave the Cavaliers the lead, and both sides exchanged points. At halftime, the Cavaliers led 57-55.

In the third quarter, the Cavaliers opened with a 7-2 run to extend their lead. Doncic scored on a floater to stop the bleeding, but Mitchell immediately answered with a three-pointer. The game then swung heavily in favor of the Cavaliers, as the Lakers struggled to score on every possession while the Cavaliers converted nearly every attack. Wade’s three-pointer pushed the lead to double digits, and Hunter’s three-pointer extended it beyond 20 points. Near the quarter’s end, Hunter hit another three, closing the third quarter with the Cavaliers up 99-77, a 22-point margin.

In the final quarter, the Cavaliers maintained their momentum with a 10-3 start, increasing the lead to 29 points. After a timeout, the Lakers pulled all their starters, and the Cavaliers did the same, turning the early part of the fourth into garbage time. The battle among the reserves saw the Cavaliers continue to dominate, stretching the lead beyond 30 points. The game ended with the Cavaliers defeating the Lakers 129-99.

Starting lineups for both teams:

Lakers: LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, Jarred Vanderbilt.

Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, Wade, Allen, Merrill.