The Los Angeles Lakers were pumped up, having won five of their last six games and recently completing a significant trade with the Brooklyn Nets to strengthen their roster.
On Sunday, the Lakers made a bold move, acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and several draft picks. This strategic acquisition was intended to strengthen the team’s defensive capabilities and three-point skill.
However, on the last day of the year, the Lakers faced a severe test. As we welcomed in the New Year, Los Angeles prepared to defend its home court against an in-form Cleveland Cavaliers team. The two teams had already met earlier in the season, but that was before the Cavs established themselves as the benchmark in the NBA.
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Throughout the match, the Lakers were often behind. Despite some desperate attempts to close the gap, they ultimately couldn’t overcome the Cavaliers, who cruised to a decisive 122-110 victory.
In a fitting tale, LeBron James played his first game as a forty-year-old against the franchise that launched his illustrious career. The seasoned veteran scored 23 points, making 9 of 17 shots and 3 of 6 from beyond the arc, while contributing with seven assists and four rebounds, including a spectacular fast break dunk that added to his legendary repertoire of highlights.
Anthony Davis was also in great form, scoring 28 points with 12 rebounds, four assists and a few blocks. Meanwhile, Austin Reaves continued his streak of impressive performances, tying his career high with 35 points, while coming close to a triple-double with 10 assists and nine rebounds. Reaves was decisive at the free throw line, hitting 12 of his 13 attempts.
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“I’m kind of taking this role on the job,” Reaves expressed during the post-game press conference. “With the D’Lo trade, I had more responsibility with the ball. This is my fourth year in the league, and every day offers new learning opportunities. I’m really eager to continue to m “to improve and develop as a player.”
New arrivals Finney-Smith and Milton made their debuts in the iconic purple and gold jerseys but faced their fair share of challenges. Finney-Smith had two points, two rebounds and two assists, while Milton chipped in with six points, all three-pointers; neither of them made a significant impact defensively.
-As a team, the Lakers shot 44% (42 out of 95) and struggled at three points, making only 25% of their attempts (9 out of 35). They excelled at the free throw line, converting nearly 90% (17 of 19) of their attempts.
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While their shooting woes didn’t seal their fate, they hampered their ability to stay in touch with Cleveland’s relentless attack. Each time Los Angeles tried to come back, the Cavaliers responded quickly, extending their lead again.
With less than three minutes remaining in the game, Cam Reddish intercepted Donovan Mitchell’s dribble and completed an athletic pass to Davis, who passed it to James. LeBron chased the ball and hit a tough three-pointer from the corner, cutting the Cavaliers’ lead to five.
The Crypto.com Arena exploded with anticipation as the Lakers appeared to be back in the game – but that momentum was short-lived. Moments later, Jarrett Allen converted an and-one opportunity, deflating the excitement in the arena. From that point on, the Lakers only managed to score three more points, while Cleveland took a twelve-point lead at the final siren.
The Cavaliers displayed their league-leading offense, thriving on all fronts. They shot 48% shooting (45 of 93), 39% from distance (18 of 46) and 82% from the free throw line (14 of 17).
Five Cleveland players scored in double figures, with Allen dominating with 27 points and 14 rebounds. Mitchell followed with 26 points, while Evan Mobley contributed 20 points.
Consistent with their performance this season, the Cavaliers proved to be a force that the Lakers, like many other teams, simply couldn’t handle.
“To beat them, you have to play almost perfect basketball,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said in a postgame press conference. “They won’t let you win, nor will they self-sabotage.”
As the clock struck midnight in 2024, Los Angeles concluded the year with an 18-14 record, placing itself in seventh place in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Cleveland celebrated its eighth straight victory, improving its impressive record to 29-4. The Lakers will look to regroup after the trade as they aim to start 2025 on a high note against the Portland Trail Blazers this Thursday night in Los Angeles.
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