LOS ANGELES — Lakers coach JJ Redick used the word “multiple” to describe what it would take for his team to compete against the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night.
Multiple efforts defensively. Multiple actions offensively.
But in the spirit of Redick’s pregame comments, the Lakers fell victim to another math problem, with the Cavaliers’ 3-point shooting being too much to overcome, leading to a 122-110 defeat at Crypto.com Arena.
The Cavaliers (29-4) knocked down twice as many 3-pointers as the Lakers (18-9) and shot 11 for 24 from behind the arc in the second half to pull away after the Lakers trimmed their deficit to 79-78 late in the third quarter.
Every time the Lakers (18-14) got close, Cleveland widened its advantage with its perimeter shooting and quick offense.
Donovan Mitchell (26 points, 6-of-13 from 3-point range, four assists) made a pair of 3-pointers early in the fourth to give Cleveland a 93-80 lead, followed by a Georges Niang 3-pointer that gave the Cavaliers a game-best 16-point advantage.
Austin Reaves, Anthony Davis and LeBron James, who combined to score all of the Lakers’ 32 fourth-quarter points, willed the home team back into the game.
A James corner 3-pointer cut the Lakers deficit to 112-107 with just under three minutes left, but the Cavaliers’ late offensive rebounding, particularly from Jarrett Allen (season-high 27 points, 14 rebounds, three blocked shots), helped them close the game on a 10-3 run.
Reaves tied a career-high with 35 points to go with 10 assists and nine rebounds for a near triple-double.
Davis had 28 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocked shots, while James had 23 points, seven assists and four rebounds in his first game since turning 40 on Monday. The four-time league MVP became the first player in NBA history to appear in a game in his teens and his 40s.
Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton made their Lakers debuts after being acquired in a trade with Brooklyn on Sunday. Milton scored six points in 10 minutes and Finney-Smith had two in 20.
Max Strus made four of Cleveland’s 18 3-pointers, including three midway through the third to give Cleveland a 77-65 lead.
More to come on this story.
