Cleveland @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 14, 2017 ) L.A. Lakers 112, Cleveland 121

Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James should expect to be showered with love from the fans when his team visits the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. James, who can become a free agent after the season, has been hearing recruiting pitches from fans and billboards are already up in Los Angeles trying to recruit him to the Lakers.

"I understand that I'm a free agent at the end of the summer, so I understand the frenzy that comes with it," James told reporters before hearing it from Clippers fans during a 116-102 loss on Friday. "It's not my first rodeo, but I don't, it doesn't bother me. I don't talk about it too much. Like I said, I'll handle that whenever it comes." In the meantime, James is trying to keep the Cavaliers in the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference, and they are just a half-game up on the Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers entering play on Saturday. The Lakers aren't in a playoff battle but are proving to be a difficult opponent and earned wins in six of their last eight games. Los Angeles tried to throw a wrench into the Western Conference race but couldn't quite find its way around the Denver Nuggets in a testy 125-116 loss on Friday.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Ohio (Cleveland), Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (38-27): Cleveland is operating without All-Star forward Kevin Love (broken hand) and lost small forwards Rodney Hood (back) and Cedi Osman (groin) during Friday's setback. "A lot of teams are hurt," Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue told reporters. "It's tough when you're missing guys, but tonight we could've used Kevin. Space (Clippers center) DeAndre (Jordan) out a little bit at the 5. Get him out of the paint, protecting the paint. But, you know, next man up -- got to be ready to play." James has yet to miss a game this season and contributed 25 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals on Friday.

ABOUT THE LAKERS (29-36): Los Angeles will have to avoid overlooking the Cavaliers with another showdown against the Nuggets looming on Tuesday. Twice this season Denver guard Jamal Murray has drawn the ire of Lakers players and coaches for his antics at the end of games, and Friday's setback ended with coach Luke Walton yelling at Murray and being held back by his fellow coaches. "It is what it is, that's the type of player he is," Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma told reporters of Murray. "But we've got another shot at it Tuesday, so looking forward to it."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Cavaliers PF Larry Nance Jr., who was acquired from Los Angeles at the trade deadline along with SG Jordan Clarkson, recorded a double-double in each of the last three games.

2. Lakers C Brook Lopez is averaging 28 points on 24-of-36 shooting over the last two games.

3. Cleveland took the last seven in the series, including a 121-112 home win on Dec. 14.

PREDICTION: Cavaliers 126, Lakers 115