An NBA regular-season match-up between the Lakers and the Cavaliers was a focal point of attention. The Lakers have been in good form recently, bolstered by the addition of new recruits Smith and Milton, who were both available to play. Additionally, this game marked LeBron James' first appearance at the age of 40, so the team was keen on securing a victory to celebrate his birthday. The Cavaliers, currently the top team in the league, have an undefeated record against Western Conference teams, with eight wins and no losses, giving them a slight advantage. However, if they were to become complacent or underestimate their opponents, it could prove costly.
The Lakers' starting lineup featured Reeves, Christie, Hachimura, James, and Davis, while the Cavaliers started Garland, Mitchell, Wade, Mobley, and Allen.
Both teams started off with good shooting, particularly the Cavaliers, who continued their league-leading offensive prowess with a balanced attack that stifled the Lakers and silenced the home crowd. After a rest, James returned with plenty of energy, scoring both inside and outside, showing no signs of his age as he teamed up with Davis to score the team's first 12 points. Reeves made a mistake, and Hachimura missed two layups, leading to jokes about his teammates being CBA level. The Cavaliers capitalized on the Lakers' mistakes, converting on fast breaks to lead 21-12.
After a timeout, the Cavaliers maintained control of the game's tempo, with the Lakers struggling on offense, defense, and turnovers, resulting in a 15-point deficit. However, the Lakers did not collapse; when the Cavaliers' bench struggled offensively, the Lakers' second unit seized the opportunity to cut the deficit through transition plays, ending the first quarter down by only four points, 30-34.
In the second quarter, both teams entered a scoring drought, with the Lakers taking the initiative first. James and Davis led a charge with an 8-0 run to take the lead. The Cavaliers quickly adjusted, playing a comprehensive game with all five positions contributing on both ends of the court. Allen scored consecutively, responding with an 8-1 run to regain the lead. The Lakers fought back, with Christie stealing and scoring in transition, Hachimura dunking, and Davis hitting a three-pointer, trailing by five points at halftime, 53-58.
At halftime, Mitchell had 15 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists; Allen had 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks; Mobley had 9 points and 2 rebounds; Garland had 7 points and 4 assists; Strus had 4 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists; Wade had 3 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists; and Jerome had 3 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. For the Lakers, Reeves had 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists; James had 12 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 block; Davis had 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block; Knickert had 4 points; Hachimura had 3 points and 3 rebounds; Milton had 3 points and 2 rebounds; Christie had 2 points and 2 assists; and Smith had 2 points and 2 rebounds.
In the third quarter, Mobley and Hachimura traded baskets. Garland drove for a layup, while James missed multiple shots before finally scoring. Reeves hit a three-pointer to keep the Lakers in the game, but Strus and Garland responded with threes of their own, maintaining the Cavaliers' lead. Christie hit a three-pointer, and Davis scored inside and out, leading a 10-0 run to bring the Lakers within two points, prompting a Cavaliers timeout at 75-77. When James returned, the Lakers' offense stalled, allowing Mitchell and LeVert to hit consecutive threes, giving the Cavaliers a nine-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
In the final quarter, Mitchell and Niang hit back-to-back threes, forcing a Lakers timeout with the lead extended to 16 points. The Lakers' offense struggled to keep up, and their transition defense was non-existent. James broke through for a layup, and Reeves hit free throws to score eight straight points, but the Cavaliers remained resilient, maintaining a double-digit lead with their offensive firepower.
Reeves continued to score from the free throw line, earning calls that some might call "superstar whistles," helping the Lakers stay close, despite others missing three-point attempts. The Cavaliers' offensive efficiency dipped. Davis dunked, and James scored five straight points, with the duo bringing the Lakers within five points. Allen responded with a three-point play, Reeves missed a three-pointer, Allen followed with a dunk, and James also missed a three-pointer, while Allen continued to score, ensuring the Cavaliers avoided an upset with a 122-110 victory, solidifying their position atop the league. The Lakers played well but ultimately fell short due to the gap in quality.
James was visibly frustrated, leaving directly through the player's tunnel without acknowledging the Cavaliers players, sparking further controversy.
Final stats: Reeves with 35 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds; Davis with 28 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks; James with 23 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds; Hachimura with 7 points and 5 rebounds; Milton with 6 points and 2 rebounds; Christie with 5 points and 2 assists; Allen with 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks; Mitchell with 26 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists; Mobley with 20 points and 6 rebounds; Strus with 15 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds; Garland with 14 points, 14 assists, and 2 steals; Niang with 9 points and 3 rebounds; Jerome with 5 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists; and Wade with 3 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists.