Los Angeles @ Cleveland preview
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Last Meeting ( Apr 6, 2024 ) Cleveland 97, L.A. Lakers 116
LeBron James returns home to Cleveland where he is 9-2 as an opponent, and this time his son Bronny is coming with him.
The father-son combo and the Los Angeles Lakers are coming off their first loss of the young season when they visit the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.
Cleveland is 4-0 for the first time since the 2016-17 season, back when LeBron James played for the Cavaliers and Bronny was in grade school.
The Cavaliers have won their four games by an average margin of 16.8 points and took down the New York Knicks on Monday night after trailing by seven at halftime. Cleveland ranks No. 1 in the NBA in field-goal percentage (52.8 percent) and is third in the NBA in scoring (123.5 points).
"We know what they have been able to do the last couple of years," said James about the Cavaliers. "It's like they have picked it up from last year and been better and better. They have a great starting lineup. We have to be ready for a physical game, a close game."
All-Star Donovan Mitchell leads the Cavaliers with 23.8 points per game, and center Jarrett Allen is averaging 9.5 rebounds.
"We're figuring things out on the fly, and it's not always going to be perfect, but we continue to push," Mitchell said after the victory over the Knicks. " ... And that's what I love about this group. We just kept continuing to push and fight."
James, who turns 40 on Dec. 30, is averaging 20 points through four games with the Lakers for new head coach JJ Redick. This is the second game of a five-game road trip for Los Angeles.
On Monday night, the Lakers led Phoenix 83-76 going into the fourth quarter, before falling 109-105. James had an off night from the floor on 3-of-14 shooting -- 2 of 5 from 3-point range -- and finished with 11 points. It was his worst shooting night since 2007 and after the game he admitted to a recent illness.
"I've been better," James said, when asked how he was feeling.
James was listed as probable Wednesday due to the illness. The team also upgraded guard D'Angelo Russell (back) to probable and confirmed that guard Austin Reaves (thigh) is available.
The Lakers' offense has been led by Anthony Davis, who leads the NBA with 32.8 points per game. He is second in the NBA with 12.8 free-throw attempts per game. Austin Reaves has averaged 19.3 points for Los Angeles.
There has been much made about the James father-son duo, but Bronny James has only played three minutes all season and has one rebound.
LeBron James has relished playing his old team over the years. Overall as an opponent against the Cavaliers, he's 19-3 and has averaged 28.5 points.
The Lakers swept the season series with the Cavaliers last year. The next time the teams meet will be in Los Angeles on New Year's Eve.
--Field Level Media