Below is a running diary of the Lakers’ matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, with comments drawn from Mike Trudell’s @LakersReporter Twitter account, to ensure you’re covered from start to finish.
First Quarter
Cleveland’s off to a 13-6 early edge here, LAL is 3 for 9 from the field. Kobe hit his first J in his final game in this city.
LeBron is taking advantage of Kobe in transition, getting out after Bryant’s missed J’s for layups on the other end. He has 4, CLE up 18-6.
LAL scrapped back into this one after trailing by as many as 17, the margin sitting at 35-25 after 1. Williams has 9 for LAL.
2 for 2 from 3 for D-Lo! #GoLakers @TWCSportsNet | @TWCDeportes | @ESPNNBA pic.twitter.com/uAHnO33NWs
Second Quarter
D’Angelo Russell’s feeling it from 3, draining his 3rd straight from long distance. That’s 9 points, 3 assists in his 11 minutes.
Sloppy end of the half for LAL, as Cleveland uses a 6-0 run to open a 64-47 lead at the margin. Irving and James had 17 points apiece.
Third Quarter
Kyrie Irving has been lethal offensively, hitting 10 of his 15 FG’s, and 3 of 4 triples, his latest 3 making it 74-59 Cavs. He has 23.
Cleveland is destroying LAL on the offensive glass, with a 21-0 margin in second chance points. Thompson has 6 offensive boards, Varejao 3.
LAL trail 93-74 after 3 Q’s in Cleveland. Clarkson has 14, Williams 18, while Irving has 27 and James 26 with 8 assists.
Kobe capped a quick 8-0 Lakers run with an and-1 3, a FT coming after a time out that could get LAL within 9 with 5:36 to play.
Fourth Quarter
Final: Cavs 120, Lakers 111. Kobe had 17 and 6, Clarkson 22-7-6, Williams 28 points. Kyrie had 35 and 7, LeBron 29-11-7.
Now an 11-2 Lakers run after 2 FT’s from D’Angelo Russell (15 points, 3 assists in 24 minutes). LAL down 9, 4 minutes to go.
Likely the final dagger from Kyrie Irving, whose jumper got him to 31 points on 14 of 23 FG’s and put CLE up 113-100 with 2:26 to play.
