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Game 40: 01/13/20 Cavaliers at Lakers GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 7:44 am
by KobeMVP888
(12-27) CAVALIERS AT LAKERS (32-7)

Monday, January 13, 2020, 7:30 PM PDT
Staples Center • Los Angeles, CA

Referees: Tony Brothers (#25), Curtis Blair (#74), Dedric Taylor (#21)

Replay Center: Eric Lewis, Tre Maddox

Line: Lakers -13.5

National TV: NBA League Pass only
Local TV: Spectrum SportsNet

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GAME PREVIEW: CAVALIERS AT LAKERS


by NBA.com

The Cleveland Cavaliers will take their new-found formula for success up against the Western Conference leader in success then they visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night.

After winning just 10 of their first 37 games, the Cavaliers went on the road and prevailed over the Detroit Pistons in overtime and the Denver Nuggets at altitude for one of the NBA season's most surprising winning streaks.

Cavaliers coach John Beilein did it by shortening his bench, relying almost exclusively on starters Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, Cedi Osman, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson.

All five starters went 38 or more minutes at Detroit, then 34 or more two nights later in Denver, and all five scored in double figures both times.

Thompson has led the way with two double-doubles, including a career-best 35 points to go with 14 rebounds against the Pistons.

The Cavaliers got a big boost from their young guards, with Sexton -- a 2018 lottery pick -- pouring in 19 and 25 points in the two wins, while 2019 lottery selection Garland went for 20 and 18.

"With them growing from every game, that's what you want at the end of the day, especially from a rookie and a second-year player," Thompson told reporters after the Denver win. "You want them to get better as the season progresses, and that's what they're showing.

"They're playing with a lot of confidence right now. That's the key. Going out there, feeling good and knowing they're good enough to play in this league and they're good enough to start in our league."

The formerly disgruntled Love has played a role as well, averaging a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds in the two wins.

The former UCLA standout will take that momentum into his annual Los Angeles homecoming. In fact, it'll be a two-night celebration, with the Cavaliers staying in town to face the Clippers on Tuesday.

Love has walked off the court a winner in three of his last four Staples Center outings against the Lakers. All told, he's faced the L.A. teams in California 21 times and recorded 15 double-doubles.

It appears he'll be matched up Monday with LeBron James, after the Lakers' star was held out of Saturday's 125-110 win at Oklahoma City because of a cold.

James had exploded for 35 points and a season-best 16 rebounds the night before in a 129-114 win at Dallas.

The two-game road sweep increased the Lakers' winning streak to eight games. Their 32 wins pace the Western Conference.

Despite being a bit under the weather, James attended Saturday's game and was Kyle Kuzma's biggest cheerleader during a season-best 36-point performance.

"That's what I'm talking about, Kuz," James could be heard shouting at his teammate during a timeout. "Yes, sir, that's what I'm talking about."

Rajon Rondo also came up big at Oklahoma City as the Lakers were missing Anthony Davis and Danny Green as well as James. But Rondo suffered a finger injury on his right hand during a contest in which he established season highs of 21 points and 12 rebounds to go with eight assists and he is questionable for the Cleveland game.

Davis, who has missed the last two games with a bruised tailbone, is not expected to face the Cavaliers, who beat the Lakers 101-95 in Los Angeles exactly one year ago Monday.

Head coach Frank Vogel was impressed with the play from other reserves in Quinn Cook, Troy Daniels and Jared Dudley, who made up for a short-handed rotation against the Mavericks.

"Extremely proud and really, extremely happy for guys in particular like Quinn and Troy and Dudz that don't play every night," Vogel added. "They have to stay ready, which is a difficult assignment when you're not practicing and the games are going by where you're not playing."


https://www.nba.com/games/20200113/CLELAL#/preview

Re: Game 40: 01/13/20 Cavaliers at Lakers GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 3:40 pm
by lakerevolution
With LeBron and Kuz jamming, yet another much-anticipated facet of our offense opens up and makes us that much more of a title contender. Cleveland should be no problem - another team Vogel can use to test different lineups and possibly let our deep bench get extra minutes on.

Go Lakers!

Re: Game 40: 01/13/20 Cavaliers at Lakers GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 8:13 pm
by Nycitylaker
This team as currently constructed...... :roflmao:

LFGL

Re: Game 40: 01/13/20 Cavaliers at Lakers GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 9:59 pm
by lakerevolution
Nycitylaker wrote:This team as currently constructed...... :roflmao:

LFGL


Looks pretty evenly matched so far :smurf: :cookiemonster:

Re: Game 40: 01/13/20 Cavaliers at Lakers GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 11:12 pm
by lakerevolution
Cavs' starting 5 certainly tried their best, and we helped them stay in it for the first 24 min by shooting horribly. But eventually talent outweighs heart and their 20 hot apple turnovers were not going to feed any homeless Cleveland residents tonight. Our fg% ticked up and Dwight continues to have a wonderful comeuppance in his second try as a Laker.

Everybody scored. Everybody had at least 1 rebound. Everybody (except Avery) had at least one assist. Everybody. I don't think anyone of us dreamed that this team could be this good.

Re: Game 40: 01/13/20 Cavaliers at Lakers GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Tue Jan 14, 2020 7:42 am
by KobeMVP888
lakerevolution wrote:Cavs' starting 5 certainly tried their best, and we helped them stay in it for the first 24 min by shooting horribly. But eventually talent outweighs heart and their 20 hot apple turnovers were not going to feed any homeless Cleveland residents tonight. Our fg% ticked up and Dwight continues to have a wonderful comeuppance in his second try as a Laker.

Everybody scored. Everybody had at least 1 rebound. Everybody (except Avery) had at least one assist. Everybody. I don't think anyone of us dreamed that this team could be this good.


This team ... as currently constructed .. keeps developing better and better chemistry. I'm guessing that Rob will keep it that way. Great scrimmage last night!

Re: Game 40: 01/13/20 Cavaliers at Lakers GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Tue Jan 14, 2020 10:53 am
by 3Peatkb24
It is nice to see the Lakers can even beat the weaker teams pretty easily without AD. The Cavs were a roll in the park in the 2nd half. This teams chemistry is really good and Dwight Howard continues to amaze me. LeBron is playing a lot like he did when the Cavs won it all in 2016 which is a relief because after last season he looked like he was losing a step due to father time. This season he looks like the MVP to me. With a win over Orlando tomorrow that would put the Lakers 34-7 at the midway point, meaning they would be on pace to win 68 games. Yes, 68! For Kenny and D-time, as this team is currently constructed I can see the Lakers winning an NBA Championship this year and maybe even next year.

Re: Game 40: 01/13/20 Cavaliers at Lakers GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Tue Jan 14, 2020 12:15 pm
by Julius Russell
I agree. This has the look of a possible 2 title team.
You got the All time great with a prime Hall of Famer.
You got the young X factor in Kuz.
You got the aging hall of Famers in Rondo and Dwight
You got your playoff experience that come with them and the 3-d guys one being a multi time champion in Green and Dudley.
2 time title winner McGee.
Plus/minus GOAT Alex Caruso.
Avery Bradley and KCP.
DeMarcus in the shadows.

Anyone of those guys can be the 3rd best player for a game.

I feel we are deeper in a playoff series than every team.
Run this team back, Kuz makes a leap in his game and is the clear 3rd.

Re: Game 40: 01/13/20 Cavaliers at Lakers GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Tue Jan 14, 2020 12:28 pm
by KobeMVP888
Julius Russell wrote:I agree. This has the look of a possible 2 title team.
You got the All time great with a prime Hall of Famer.
You got the young X factor in Kuz.
You got the aging hall of Famers in Rondo and Dwight
You got your playoff experience that come with them and the 3-d guys one being a multi time champion in Green and Dudley.
2 time title winner McGee.
Plus/minus GOAT Alex Caruso.
Avery Bradley and KCP.
DeMarcus in the shadows.

Anyone of those guys can be the 3rd best player for a game.

I feel we are deeper in a playoff series than every team.
Run this team back, Kuz makes a leap in his game and is the clear 3rd.


Great post, Robert. The Clippers do match up well with us, but I think that's something we can figure out with this roster -- as CURRENTLY CONSTRUCTED!!