Game Grades: Cavaliers Fall To Lakers

The Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Los Angeles Lakers due to an inefficient fourth quarter.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were looking to spoil LeBron James' return to Northeast Ohio. However, the King reminded everyone at Rocket Mortgage FeildHouse why they consider him one of the greatest players of all time.

Let's take a look at Cleveland's grades as the Cavs fell to the Los Angeles Lakers 121-115.

Cavaliers Offense: B-

The Cavs started off the game with one of their best quarters of the season. 

Cleveland scored 41 points and took an early lead over Los Angeles. However, this wasn't sustainable as the scoring total continued to fall as each quarter passed. The Cavs scored 31 points in the second, 23 in the third, and 21 in the fourth.

As a team, the Cavaliers shot 47% from the floor and 32% from behind the arc. Six players also scored in double figures demonstrating the balanced attack from Clevaland. Donovan Mitchell led the team scoring 22 points and Jarrett Allen included 18 points in his big night. 

The biggest issue with Celveland's offense in this one was the consistency which is the reason for the "B-" grade.

Cavaliers Defense: C+

J.B. Bickerstaff highlighted before the game the difficulties of prepping for a player such as LeBron James. All in all, the Cavs did a decent job defending against the four-time NBA champion.

It was Anthony Davis who Cleveland had very little answers for. Davis finished the night with 32 points and 13 rebounds, five of those boards coming on the offensive end.

On top of Davis' big night, the Lakers played just eight players and seven of them scored in double figures. The Cavs had one of their most complete rosters in a while so letting a team outperform them like this can't happen.

Nov 25, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) passes as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and forward Isaac Okoro (35) defend during the second half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports / © Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Overall: B-

The Cavs got solid performances from Evan Mobley and Jarrett, Donovan Mitchell was back doing what he does best, Darius Garland looked good before leaving the game, and the Craig Porter Jr.-Georges Niang duo was solid off the bench. 

The biggest difference maker in this one was Cleveland shooting 33% from the floor in the fourth quarter ultimately costing them the game.