The Lakers look to end a seven game losing streak tonight in Cleveland against the Cavaliers. The team will welcome back Jordan Farmar to the lineup and he is getting thrown right in the fire as he will be matched up with Cavaliers star Kyrie Irving.
The Lakers could not escape last night’s contest without a couple of casualties as both Jodie Meeks and Jordan Hill will miss tonight’s game thanks to the injuries suffered against the Minnesota Timberwolves. With both of them gone, and Manny Harris no longer with the team, the Lakers are once again down to only eight healthy players.
The Lakers lost the first meeting between the two teams 120-118 last month.
First Quarter
Robert Sacre got off to a solid start with a couple of easy baskets in between a couple of three-pointers by Ryan Kelly and Wesley Johnson. The Lakers were able to jump out to a quick 10-4 lead. Johnson started the game on fire as he hit his first three shots from deep. Jordan Farmar would add a three to give the Lakers a 19-11 lead as they hit their first five three-pointers. Both teams traded a couple of ugly possessions before Wesley Johnson threw down a big tip-jam. Farmar and Johnson would hit back-to-back threes bringing the Lakers to seven makes from deep without a miss and a 13 point lead. Two more fast break baskets and the Lakers built their lead to 17. Kaman tips in a Nick Young miss and the Lakers are up 36-17 after one of their best quarters of the season.
Second Quarter
In the second quarter, the Lakers continued their hot shooting to extend their lead to 45-19 in the first two minutes. With the lead nearly at 30 points, the Cavaliers made a mini-run to cut the deficit to 22. Midway through the quarter, the Lakers held a 54-32 lead. After the timeout, the Cavaliers would make a run to cut the deficit to under 20. However, on a fastbreak opportunity, it appeared that Nick Young injured his knee, but was able to return to the game. While the Cavaliers would try to make run, the Lakers took a 70-49 lead heading into the half.
Third Quarter
To start the second half, the Lakers continued to play well as their lead hovered around 25 points. While the Cavaliers tried to make a push, Los Angeles always had a response and made 15 threes with more than three minutes remaining in the quarter. With Kaman and Sacre in foul trouble, the Lakers went small with Kelly at the five as the lead dwindled to 20 late in the third.
Fourth Quarter
In the final quarter, the Cavs went on a 15-2 run to cut the deficit to 13. While the lead would remain in double digits, Farmar injured his leg and Kaman fouled out. With no players available to play on the bench, the Lakers struggled and only held an eight point lead midway through the quarter. Although Sacre received his sixth foul, he would have to stay the game. While every foul by Sacre would result in a technical foul, Blake made a huge three to push the lead near double digits. Steve Nash would have to come to the bench just in case Sacre received another foul, but Blake drilled another three to seal the game.
