Cavaliers Lose To The Lakers 116-97: Game Recap 4/6/24

Post-Game Recap

3 Notes Around the Loss

1 – Defense?

A lousy trend continued, as the Cavaliers’ defense once again gave up 50% plus shooting from the field and almost 50% from deep, while LA shot 43.2% (16 for 37).

2 – Mitchell and Mobley

Donovan Mitchell struggled to put the ball through the hoop, scoring only ten points. Evan Mobley had a poor game, scoring only eight points and grabbing only three rebounds. 

Cleveland needs Mitchell and Mobley to perform at a high level to win in the playoffs, but they are not getting close to that level. 

3 – Starters

Cleveland starters were only able to get 61 points total compared to the Los Angeles starters, who combined 88 points.

Game Recap

On Saturday, D’Angelo Russell led the charge with 28 points, supported by LeBron James’ 24, as the Los Angeles Lakers secured their fourth consecutive victory, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 116-97. This win propelled them to eighth place in the competitive Western Conference standings.

Anthony Davis contributed significantly with 22 points and 13 rebounds, further bolstering the Lakers’ impressive record of 45-33, marking their ninth triumph in the last 10 games.

Despite a strong effort from Darius Garland, who scored 26 points, and Caris LeVert’s 21 off the bench for Cleveland, the Cavaliers (46-32) faced their second consecutive loss and third defeat in their last four games, although they maintained their third-place standing in the Eastern Conference.

Russell’s remarkable performance included six 3-pointers, five of which came in the first half, aiding the Lakers in establishing a nine-point lead early on.

LeBron James, with a storied history with the Cavaliers, showcased his dominance with alley-oop dunks and improved his record against his former team to 18-4. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis’s impactful third quarter, where he scored 11 points, played a pivotal role in a decisive 19-0 run that shifted the momentum firmly in favor of the Lakers.

The Lakers surged to a 16-point lead in the second quarter, fueled by a 24-4 run, but Cleveland managed to narrow the gap to 65-56 by halftime.

Garland’s defensive efforts, highlighted by tying his career high with five steals, spurred a spirited start to the second half for the Cavaliers, as they embarked on an 11-2 run to level the score at 67-all.

Up Next

Remain in Los Angeles to face the Clippers on Sunday afternoon.