Anthony Davis drops 32 as Lakers sink Cavs

Anthony Davis had 32 points and 13 rebounds to help the visiting Los Angeles Lakers to a 121-115 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, November 25 (Sunday, November 26, Manila time).

LeBron James scored 22 points, Max Christie had 12 points, and fellow starting guard D’Angelo Russell finished with 10 points for the Lakers, who have won four of their past five games.

Los Angeles also received solid contributions from its bench, as Austin Reaves had 15 points and 10 assists and Christian Wood (13 points) and Jaxson Hayes (10) also scored in double figures.

Donovan Mitchell scored 22 points, Jarrett Allen had 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Evan Mobley scored 18 points for the Cavaliers, who had won four of their past five.

Cleveland also received solid production from its bench, as Georges Niang contributed 13 points and Craig Porter added 11.

The Cavaliers took a one-point lead into the fourth quarter and both teams traded leads in the early minutes. Neither team led by more than 4 points until Davis made two free throws with 5:46 left for a 108-103 lead.

The Cavaliers won a challenge on a foul against James and Max Strus followed with a three-pointer to make it a three-point game with 2:25 left.

Mobley made a layup and was fouled but couldn’t convert the ensuing free throw, leaving Cleveland down a point at 113-112. James then made a short jump shot, stole a pass on the other end, and scored on a dunk in transition to extend the lead to 117-112 with 1:12 to go.

The Cavaliers scored on a lob pass to cut it to two and James was short on a three-pointer, but Mitchell could not convert an open jumper on the other end with 23.8 seconds left.

Reaves made two free throws with 19.6 seconds on the clock for a 119-115 lead and he later made two more to seal the win.

The Lakers shot 60.9% from the floor in the first half and the Cavaliers shot 53.2% as Cleveland took a 71-70 edge into the break.

The Cavaliers led 40-35 at the end of the first quarter after both teams shot better than 55% from the floor. Mitchell had 13 points in the period for Cleveland.

The Lakers were without Cam Reddish (left adductor soreness), Rui Hachimura (nasal fracture), and Jarred Vanderbilt (heel). – Rappler.com