Ramon Sessions Scores 32 Points As Cavaliers Avenge 55-Point Loss

Revenge is sweet. Just ask the Cleveland Cavaliers. In a season that will be known more for a record losing streak – and a record loss – the Cavs provided their fans something to cheer on Wednesday night when the Wine and Gold got a bit of payback on the Los Angeles Lakers, beating Kobe Bryant’s crew 104-99.

Ramon Sessions led the Cavaliers with 32 points and eight assists amid swirling trade rumors involving the guard. If I’m the Cavs, the price for Sessions just went up. Session played 36 minutes off the bench after starter Mo Williams could only play three minutes before leaving the game. It was the last meeting with the Lakers that Williams injured his hip – missing a month before returning last week.

Antawn Jamison scored 19 points to go with 10 rebounds and J.J. Hickson had 13 points and 15 rebounds for the Cavaliers.

Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 30 points and 20 rebounds while Kobe Bryant matched both of his jersey numbers – he was 8/24 from the floor – to score 17 points to go along with 12 rebounds. Former Cavs first-round pick Shannon Brown added 15 points off the bench for the Lakers.

The Cavs held a 74-71 lead heading into the 4th quarter – a time the home team usually folds and finds a way to lose. Tonight that wasn’t the case. Cleveland led by 11 – 95-84 – with just under three minutes to go before the Lakers put together a furious rally to cut the lead to 101-99 with 11 seconds to go.

Fortunately for Cleveland, they kept hitting their free throws – the Cavs were 8/10 down the stretch – to keep the Lakers at bay.

It was the 3rd loss in a row for the Lakers while the Cavaliers won for the 2nd time in three games.

Cavaliers Scored Just 57 Points In Last Meeting Against Kobe, Lakers

The Cleveland Cavaliers have nearly matched their 48-minute output against the Los Angeles Lakers in January and lead the Lakers 51-46 at halftime. The Lakers beat the Cavaliers 112-57 on Jan. 11, and no matter what the outcome the Cavaliers have looked much better in the rematch.

Antawn Jamison scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds while Ramon Sessions scored 16 points off the bench as the Cavaliers built a lead they possessed most of the half. Cleveland shot 44% from the field in the first half.

Pau Gasol leads the Lakers with 20 points and 12 rebounds in the first half. Kobe Bryant has just six points. The Lakers shot 39.5% as every Laker not named Gasol combined to shoot just 11-31 from the field. The Lakers turned the ball over 11 times in the first half.

Cleveland Cavaliers Look For Revenge Against Los Angeles Lakers

The Cleveland Cavaliers don't have the talent of the Los Angeles Lakers.  Everyone knows that.  That is no excuse, however, for the way the Cavaliers played when the two teams faced each other January 11 at the Staples Center.  That night, the Lakers embarrassed the Cavaliers by 55-points, 112-57, in what was the lowest of low points during a disastrous Cavaliers season.

The Lakers are coming off a drubbing of their own, a 109-89 beatdown by the Charlotte Bobcats that has them looking to get back on the court as well.  A motivated Lakers team is scary for the Cavaliers, no matter how much they would like to get back a little at the Lakers for last month's performance.

leveland can only hope another lengthy losing streak is not on the horizon, as it resumes an eight-game homestand Wednesday. After finally putting the clamps on an NBA-worst 26-game losing streak with a win over the Los Angeles Clippers last Friday, the Cavs dropped a 115-100 decision to Washington two days later. It was Washington's first road win of the season (1-25).

Antawn Jamison finished with 21 points and seven rebounds to pace the Cavaliers, who are 1-2 on the residency and 6-19 at Quicken Loans Arena this season. J.J. Hickson had 16 points and 13 rebounds, Ramon Sessions finished with 14 points and Jamario Moon netted 12 points in defeat.

Cavs first-year head coach Byron Scott was not pleased afterwards.

"First of all, just like I told the guys, I am still trying to figure them out because to me that was ridiculous," Scott said. "Effort wise I thought it just was not there. In the beginning of the game it did not look like it was there. It looked like we were just sleepwalking through it. In the second half, we tried to put it together and come back, but it was not there, period."

Jamison is averaging 24.8 points and 7.0 rebounds in his last 10 home games. The Cavs are winless in their last 14 games against Eastern Conference foes and own just a 2-19 record in matchups with teams from the West. Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson exited the Wizards game in the second quarter with a left quad strain, and is doubtful for tonight. The Cavs will also host the Rockets, Knicks, Sixers and Spurs on the homestand.