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.