Game ID: 22301127
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Los Angeles Lakers
Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 3:30 PM ET
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
LAL 36 29 25 26 116CLE 33 23 22 19 97
CLE @ LAL ScoutingCLE @ LAL Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
LAL availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 23 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 45 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 17 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Reddish back 3/22 after 4, 15 min since (72% of 20)
NEW Dinwiddie 23 to 30 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 24 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 46 since 12/21, returns tonight: 14 min (78% of 18)
OUT Wood missed 18 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Reddish back 3/22 after 4, 14 min since (71% of 20)
NEW Davis 36 to 42 min over the last 4
NEW Russell 33 to 38 min over the last 4
NEW Reaves 32 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Dinwiddie 23 to 29 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 4/02 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 25 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 19 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Vincent back 3/31 after 46, 14 min since (78% of 18)
NEW Davis 36 to 41 min over the last 4
NEW Reaves 32 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Hachimura 27 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Dinwiddie 23 to 29 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 4/03 · back-to-backOUT Vanderbilt missed 26 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 20 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Vincent back 3/31 after 46, 14 min since (78% of 18)
NEW Hachimura 27 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Hayes 12 to 19 min over the last 4
LAL availability going into 4/06 · 2 days' restOUT Reddish missed 2 since 4/02, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 27 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 21 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Vincent back 3/31 after 46, 14 min since (79% of 18)
NEW Hayes 12 to 17 min over the last 4
LAL availability going into 4/07 · back-to-backOUT Reddish missed 3 since 4/02, returns tonight: 14 min (67% of 20)
OUT Vanderbilt missed 28 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 22 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Vincent back 3/31 after 46, 14 min since (79% of 18)
LAL availability going into 4/09 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 29 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 23 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Reddish back 4/07 after 3, 14 min since (67% of 20)
BACK Vincent back 3/31 after 46, 14 min since (79% of 18)
NEW Hayes 12 to 18 min over the last 4
LAL availability going into 4/12 · 2 days' restOUT Vanderbilt missed 30 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 24 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Reddish back 4/07 after 3, 12 min since (57% of 20)
NEW Hayes 12 to 20 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 4/14 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 31 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Wood missed 25 since 2/22, out tonight
BACK Reddish back 4/07 after 3, 12 min since (57% of 20)
NEW Hayes 12 to 18 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Mitchell missed 6 since 3/18, returns tonight: 32 min (90% of 36)
OUT Wade missed 10 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK Strus back 3/27 after 12, 24 min since (75% of 33)
BACK Eva. Mobley back 3/24 after 9, 26 min since (81% of 32)
NEW Niang 21 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Merrill 17 to 25 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Wade missed 11 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK Mitchell back 3/29 after 6, 32 min since (90% of 36)
BACK Strus back 3/27 after 12, 26 min since (79% of 33)
BACK Eva. Mobley back 3/24 after 9, 27 min since (85% of 32)
NEW Niang 21 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Merrill 17 to 25 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 4/02 · 1 day's restOUT Wade missed 12 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Porter Jr. missed 2 since 3/29, out tonight
BACK Mitchell back 3/29 after 6, 32 min since (88% of 36)
BACK Strus back 3/27 after 12, 26 min since (81% of 33)
BACK Eva. Mobley back 3/24 after 9, 27 min since (86% of 32)
NEW Merrill 17 to 23 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 4/03 · back-to-backOUT Okoro missed 2 since 3/31, out tonight
OUT Wade missed 13 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Porter Jr. missed 3 since 3/29, out tonight
BACK Mitchell back 3/29 after 6, 32 min since (88% of 36)
BACK Strus back 3/27 after 12, 28 min since (86% of 33)
NEW Merrill 17 to 24 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 4/06 · 2 days' restOUT Okoro missed 3 since 3/31, out tonight
OUT Wade missed 14 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Porter Jr. missed 4 since 3/29, returns tonight: 2 min (13% of 13)
BACK Mitchell back 3/29 after 6, 34 min since (94% of 36)
BACK Strus back 3/27 after 12, 30 min since (92% of 33)
CLE availability going into 4/07 · back-to-backOUT Okoro missed 4 since 3/31, returns tonight: 25 min (95% of 26)
OUT Wade missed 15 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK Mitchell back 3/29 after 6, 35 min since (97% of 36)
BACK Porter Jr. back 4/06 after 4, 2 min since (13% of 13)
CLE availability going into 4/10 · 2 days' restOUT Wade missed 16 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK Okoro back 4/07 after 4, 25 min since (95% of 26)
BACK Porter Jr. back 4/06 after 4, 2 min since (13% of 13)
CLE availability going into 4/12 · 1 day's restOUT Wade missed 17 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Thompson missed 2 since 4/07, out tonight
BACK Okoro back 4/07 after 4, 26 min since (98% of 26)
BACK Porter Jr. back 4/06 after 4, 2 min since (13% of 13)
CLE availability going into 4/14 · 1 day's restOUT Wade missed 18 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Merrill missed 2 since 4/10, out tonight
OUT Morris Sr. missed 2 since 4/10, returns tonight: 19 min (125% of 15)
OUT Thompson missed 3 since 4/07, returns tonight: 12 min (110% of 11)
BACK Okoro back 4/07 after 4, 26 min since (97% of 26)
BACK Porter Jr. back 4/06 after 4, 2 min since (13% of 13)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 114, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Davis at 26 and James at 25 a game. That is 3 straight wins. They have won the glass by 7 a night. Without Reddish (2 straight), Vanderbilt (27 straight), Wood (21 straight). 2 days' rest. Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Allen at 19 and Eva. Mobley at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Okoro (3 straight), Wade (14 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-7 a night and Cleveland minus-6 and the line, where the Lakers take 23 free throws a game to Cleveland's 18. Call it the Lakers 118, Cleveland 112.
3/29 @ IND 90-109 — LAL notes
LAL lost 90-109. LAL shot 41% (35 of 86) to IND's 48%, 5 of 30 from three. LAL turned it over 16 times to IND's 8, and IND turned those into 8 steals. Davis led with 24 (9 of 17, 6 of 7 at the line); Reaves added 16, James 16. Q2 was theirs, 25-27, but the other 3 periods went 82-65 against them. Russell's -17 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/31 @ BKN 116-104 — LAL notes
LAL won 116-104. LAL shot 55% (42 of 77) to BKN's 42%, 15 of 40 from three. LAL turned it over 19 times to BKN's 12, and BKN turned those into 12 steals. The glass went 50-38 for them. James led with 40 (13 of 17, 9 of 10 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Davis added 24, Hachimura 20. The hinge was Q1, 31-11: from level to 20 ahead, and the lead reached 26. Reaves was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
4/02 @ TOR 128-111 — LAL notes
LAL won 128-111. LAL shot 51% (52 of 101) to TOR's 48%, 18 of 41 from three, and got to the line 12 times to TOR's 21. Russell led with 25 (9 of 17, 7 of 14 from three); James added 23, Davis 21. The hinge was Q3, 36-21: a lead of 6 became 21, and the lead reached 33. Russell was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
4/03 @ WAS 125-120 — LAL notes
LAL won 125-120. LAL shot 51% (46 of 91) to WAS's 49%, 8 of 28 from three, and went to the line 29 times to WAS's 13 — 25 points from the stripe to their 12. The glass went 49-39 for them. Davis led with 35 (10 of 17, 15 of 15 at the line); James added 25, Hachimura 19. The hinge was Q1, 39-29: from level to 10 ahead, and the lead reached 17. Davis was the night's best plus/minus at +29.
4/06 vs CLE 116-97 — LAL notes
LAL won 116-97. LAL shot 56% (45 of 80) to CLE's 43%, 16 of 37 from three. Russell led with 28 (11 of 17, 6 of 12 from three); James added 24, Davis 22. The hinge was Q4, 26-19: a lead of 12 became 19. Prince was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
4/07 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 108, shooting 51 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; James at 26 and Davis at 25 a game. That is 4 straight wins. They have won the glass by 6 a night. Without Reddish (3 straight), Vanderbilt (28 straight), Wood (22 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 99, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Edwards at 23 and Reid at 15 a game. Without Towns (15 straight). One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-6 a night and Minnesota minus-3 and the defense, Minnesota allowing 99 a night to the Lakers' 108. Call it Minnesota 111, the Lakers 110, the Lakers keeping it close.
4/09 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 112, shooting 52 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; James at 28 and Davis at 21 a game. They have won the glass by 5 a night. Without Vanderbilt (29 straight), Wood (23 straight). One day's rest. Golden State comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 108, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 14 free throws a game; Curry at 26 and Thompson at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Wiggins (2 straight), Šarić (10 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the line, where the Lakers take 22 free throws a game to Golden State's 14. Call it the Lakers 117, Golden State 114, Golden State keeping it close.
4/12 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 104, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 17 free throws a game; LaRavia at 18 and Jackson at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Aldama (5 straight), Kennard (4 straight), Williams (19 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 118, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; James at 26 and Davis at 20 a game. Without Vanderbilt (30 straight), Wood (24 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Lakers win, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Memphis allowing 104 a night to the Lakers' 118 and the arc, the Lakers at 38 percent from three to Memphis's 32. Call it the Lakers 113, Memphis 111, Memphis keeping it close.
4/14 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 43 from three, 19 free throws a game; McCollum at 30 and Williamson at 27 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Ingram (12 straight), Nance Jr. (2 straight), Hawkins (2 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 120, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 27 free throws a game; James at 30 and Davis at 24 a game. Without Vanderbilt (31 straight), Wood (25 straight). One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the arc, New Orleans at 43 percent from three to the Lakers' 36 and the defense, New Orleans allowing 110 a night to the Lakers' 120. Call it New Orleans 118, the Lakers 114, the Lakers keeping it close.
3/29 vs PHI 117-114 — CLE notes
CLE won 117-114. CLE shot 55% (45 of 82) to PHI's 45%, 16 of 37 from three. Niang led with 25 (10 of 14, 5 of 8 from three); Mobley added 20, Strus 15. The hinge was Q4, 32-27: CLE came in trailing by 2 and left it ahead by 3. Garland was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
3/31 @ DEN 101-130 — CLE notes
CLE lost 101-130. CLE shot 46% (38 of 82) to DEN's 57%, 8 of 25 from three, and went to the line 21 times to DEN's 13 — 17 points from the stripe to their 9. The glass went 28-51 against them. Mobley led with 23 (9 of 10); Allen added 19, LeVert 15. Q1 was theirs, 26-30, but the other 3 periods went 100-75 against them. Mitchell's -27 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/02 @ UTA 129-113 — CLE notes
CLE won 129-113. CLE shot 54% (46 of 85) to UTA's 48%, 16 of 39 from three, and went to the line 24 times to UTA's 18 — 21 points from the stripe to their 15. CLE turned it over 13 times to UTA's 19. LeVert led with 26 (9 of 13, 2 of 3 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Allen added 21, Mobley 21. The hinge was Q1, 40-25: from level to 15 ahead, and the lead reached 24. Allen was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
4/03 @ PHX 101-122 — CLE notes
CLE lost 101-122. CLE shot 47% (39 of 83) to PHX's 51%, 7 of 26 from three. Mitchell led with 24 (8 of 17, 2 of 7 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Allen added 20, Mobley 20. Q3 was theirs, 30-26, the deficit cut from 25 to 21, but the other 3 periods went 96-71 against them. Niang's -21 in 11 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/06 @ LAL 97-116 — CLE notes
CLE lost 97-116. CLE took 10 more shots (90 to 80), fed by 11 offensive rebounds, but shot 43% to LAL's 56%, 11 of 35 from three. Garland led with 26 (11 of 25, 4 of 9 from three); LeVert added 21, Allen 12. Q1 was theirs, 33-36, but the other 3 periods went 80-64 against them. Merrill's -20 in 12 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/07 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 105, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; George at 23 and Zubac at 15 a game. Without Leonard (3 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 119, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Eva. Mobley at 18 and LeVert at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Okoro (4 straight), Wade (15 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 105 a night to Cleveland's 119 and the line, where the Clippers take 25 free throws a game to Cleveland's 18. Call it the Clippers 116, Cleveland 108.
4/10 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 120, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Eva. Mobley at 18 and LeVert at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Wade (16 straight). 2 days' rest. Memphis comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 103, shooting 43 percent and 30 from three, 18 free throws a game; Jackson at 14 and Clarke at 12 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Aldama (4 straight), Kennard (3 straight), Stevens (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Memphis has been plus-5 a night and Cleveland minus-7 and the defense, Memphis allowing 103 a night to Cleveland's 120. Call it Cleveland 111, Memphis 108, Memphis keeping it close.
4/12 vs IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Mitchell at 21 and LeVert at 19 a game. Without Wade (17 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 115, shooting 51 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; Haliburton at 20 and Siakam at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. 2 days' rest.
So: Indiana wins, on the road, and the game turns on the turnovers, Cleveland giving it away 14 times a game to Indiana's 10. Call it Indiana 117, Cleveland 116, Cleveland keeping it close.
4/14 vs CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Mitchell at 24 and Garland at 20 a game. Without Wade (18 straight), Merrill (2 straight), Morris Sr. (2 straight). One day's rest. Charlotte comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 122, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 20 free throws a game; Miller at 20 and Bridges at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Cleveland has been minus-3 a night and Charlotte minus-8 and the arc, Charlotte at 41 percent from three to Cleveland's 36. Call it Cleveland 117, Charlotte 110.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
LALAD A. Davis
AR A. Reaves
CC C. Castleton
DR D. Russell
GV G. Vincent
JH J. Hayes
LJ L. James
MC M. Christie
RH R. Hachimura
SD S. Dinwiddie
TP T. Prince
CLECL C. LeVert
CP C. Porter Jr.
DG D. Garland
DM D. Mitchell
EM E. Mobley
GN G. Niang
JA J. Allen
MM M. Morris Sr.
MS M. Strus
PN P. Nance
SM S. Merrill
TT T. Thompson
LAL/CLE the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Russell, James help Lakers win 4th straight, move into 8th place with 116-97 victory over Cavaliers
LOS ANGELES -- — D’Angelo Russell scored 28 points, LeBron James added 24 and the Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to four with a 116-97 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, moving into eighth place in the Western Conference.
Anthony Davis added 22 points and 13 rebounds as the Lakers improved to 45-33 with their ninth win in 10 games.
They still are in position to land in the play-in tournament, but finishing seventh or eighth means they would only need to win one game to earn a playoff spot.
“We’re very confident in our ballclub," Davis said. "We laugh about like, oh, winning nine out of 10, you know, 10 out of 11, whatever. and we’re not gaining anywhere. That's how good the West is.”
It is the first time since Dec. 29 the Lakers have been eighth in the conference. With four regular-season games remaining though, coach Darvin Ham isn't focused on seeding but on the Lakers having momentum going into the postseason.
“Just take care of us. Continue to look for ways to get better individually and collectively. Everything else will take of itself,” he said. "We’ll fall exactly in the spot we’re supposed to fall, but the key is for us to be playing at a high level on both sides of the ball.’
Darius Garland scored 26 points for Cleveland and Caris LeVert had 21 off the bench. The Cavaliers (46-32) remained in third place in the East but have dropped two straight and three of their last four.
“I thought we did some really good things in spurts. We just couldn’t sustain it enough to come out with a win,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “The turnovers kind of bit us in the butt. We also forced turnovers and didn't convert on them.”
Russell had six 3-pointers, including five in the first half, when his 23 points helped the Lakers take a nine-point lead.
James improved to 18-4 against his former team, where he played for 11 seasons in two different stints. He had a pair of alley-oop dunks against the team he led to its lone NBA title in 2016.
Davis scored 11 points in the third quarter, including nine during a 19-0 run. Cleveland led 71-67 before the Lakers regained control during a four-minute span.
“Once we defend we get stops and hold teams to one shot, what we do offensively is through the roof. It's hard to contain us,” Ham said.
Los Angeles jumped out to a 16-point lead early in the second quarter with a 24-4 run before Cleveland got it down to 65-56 at halftime.
Garland, who tied a career high with five steals, had a pair of 3-pointers as the Cavaliers began the second half with an 11-2 spurt to tie it at 67-all.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Remain in Los Angeles to face the Clippers on Sunday afternoon.
Lakers: Host the Minnesota Timberwolves Sunday night.