[645]

Los Angeles — Before the Cavaliers game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night in the Staples Center, LeBron James said it was always a treat to match up against Kobe Bryant.

Bryant might not think so. James had 38 points to lead seven players in double figures and the short-handed Cavs beat the Lakers, 114-108.
It was Cleveland’s first victory over the Lakers in the Staples Center. Though they’re just 1-8 here, the Cavs head into the All-Star break with a 31-22 record.

“We’ve done a great job the last week and a half or two weeks finishing on a good note before All-Star weekend,” said James, whose team was without Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who is not with the team because of personal/family health issues, and rookie Daniel Gibson, out with a sprained big toe on his left foot.

cleveland.com: Everything Cleveland