The Lakers beat the sliding Cleveland Cavaliers Sunday (PHL), scoring a 116-97 decision for an important win towards a packed Western Conference standings.
Los Angeles jumped a spot for the first time since late December, now momentarily the 8th seed with a 45-33 record.
The Lakers have won four straight and are 9-1 in their last 10, tied for the best mark in the NBA.
LeBron James off the top rope! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Mzf7wt2dqh
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 6, 2024
D’Angelo Russell fired another six three-pointers on his way to a game-high 28 points, while LeBron James added 24 points and 12 assists.
Anthony Davis was his usual dominant self with 22 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and six blocks. Taurean Prince added a strong 18 off the bench, as the Lakers used a telling 19-0 run in the third quarter to take control for good after the Cavaliers briefly took a four-point lead.
Let's go. pic.twitter.com/Ff1Emm2TOi
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 6, 2024
Darius Garland had 26 for Cleveland, and Caris Levert added another 21. However, the Cavaliers are on a 3-7 stretch, and their hold of the East’s no. 3 seed is in dire straits.
At 46-32, the Cavs are only half a game up of the Orlando Magic and the New York Knicks.
