Lakers fall to Cavs in fatal second half.
After coming out of the gate to an early 7–0 lead, it looked like the Lakers' energy was on pace for a bounce-back win against the Cavaliers, scoring 64 points in the first half. That momentum was cut short, scoring just 36 points total in the second half, falling to the Cavaliers 114–100 to drop their season record to 2–7.
“Our spirit seemed to have left the building [in the second half],” said Darvin Ham.
Free throws were a big difference in the Lakers' loss, making just 57% of the foul shots on 12-for-21 compared to Cleveland’s 36 total free throw attempts, making 89% (32-for-36) of them.
“I’m not angry. I’m not disillusioned. I’m disappointed a little bit because I know how much better we can play,” Ham added.
Being the worst three-point shooting team in the NBA, shooting just 28% from three, the Lakers' shooting woes continued in Sunday’s loss, going a horrific 29% (8-for-27) from behind the arc.
Continuing his surge and high energy off the bench, the Laker fans have embraced Russell Westbrook in his new role, cheering for him when he first checks in off the bench.
“They came out more prepared in the 3rd, and we were playing catch-up from then on,” said Westbrook.
Westbrook finished with 19 points on 60% (3-for-5) shooting from three and 46% (6-for-13) total from the floor, adding 10 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block in 32 minutes off the bench.
Shooting just 21% from three this season, Lebron scratched from three for the first time since October 30th against the Nuggets after going 0–16 from behind the arc in his last three games.
LeBron finished with a team-high 27 points on 56% shooting from the floor, going just 1-for-4 from three while adding 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in 34 minutes.
The Lakers’ next matchup is on the road on Monday against the 7–3 Utah Jazz at 7:15 PM on Spectrum SportsNet.
