The Lakers received a much-needed boost from external forces on Friday, and they kept the momentum going on Saturday by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 116-97 at Crypto.com Arena. This victory, their ninth in the last ten games, propelled them to 45-33 for the season, securing the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference standings for the first time since December 29th. They edged ahead of the Sacramento Kings by a half-game, who fell to the Boston Celtics on Friday.
Coach Darvin Ham emphasized the importance of focusing on self-improvement, both individually and as a team, regardless of whether it's a game day or not. He stressed the need for open communication and self-care, believing that maintaining a high level of play on both offense and defense is key.
Currently, the Lakers are just a half-game behind the New Orleans Pelicans for the No. 7 spot. Despite the Pelicans' four-game losing streak, the Lakers are remaining focused on taking it one game at a time and letting the results speak for themselves.
Facing an early matinee matchup, which can be challenging for veteran teams, the Lakers remained unfazed. Coming off a successful 5-1 road trip, Coach Ham expressed confidence in his team's readiness to perform.
The game against the Cavaliers showcased LeBron James leading the Lakers with 24 points, 12 assists, and five rebounds. D'Angelo Russell also shined, scoring 28 points on 11-for-17 shooting, including 6 for 12 on 3-pointers. Anthony Davis contributed significantly on both ends of the court, tallying 22 points, 13 rebounds, six blocks, four assists, and three steals.
The Lakers' defensive efforts were impressive, causing 19 turnovers for 26 points and recording 11 blocks and 11 steals, a rare feat for the team. Taurean Prince also made a notable impact off the bench with 18 points.
Despite a brief setback in the third quarter, where the Cavaliers briefly took the lead, the Lakers responded emphatically, scoring 19 unanswered points to secure a comfortable lead for the remainder of the game.
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