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SPORTS> North America
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Lakers end Cavs' 23-game home streak
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-02-10 10:35 CLEVELAND: The Los Angeles Lakers roared from behind in the second half to end the Cleveland Cavaliers' perfect home season with a 101-91 victory on Sunday. The Cavaliers, who led by 10 at halftime, had won 23 consecutive home games before the loss. With Kobe Bryant slowed by the flu, forward Lamar Odom took over the Lakers' scoring load with season highs of 28 points and 17 rebounds. Bryant finished with 19 points, including a key field goal in the fourth quarter. "I just tried to take the ball inside," Odom told reporters after the Lakers' improved their league-best record to 41-9. "With Andrew (Bynum) going down (last week with a torn liagment), it was important for all of us to play good basketball."
Odom ignited the Lakers in the third quarter, scoring 15 points, which included 13 of his team's final 16 points for the period as Los Angeles outscored the Cavaliers 31-16. "That was one of the best game's he's played for us," Lakers coach Phil Jackson told reporters. Pau Gasol, who played center for the Lakers, added 18 points and 12 rebounds. LeBron James had 16 points and 12 assists for Cleveland in a disappointing performance in which he made only five of 20 shots from the floor. "I couldn't make a layup," James told reporters. "When you're not making layups and not making stops it deflates your team." Zydrunas Ilgauskas led the Cavaliers with 22 points while Mo Williams pitched in with 19. Two free throws by Ilgauskas with 3:06 to play rallied the Cavs to within 93-89, but Bryant connected on his only field goal of the quarter and Gasol scored five consecutive points to put the Lakers comfortably in front. The win completed a 6-0 road trip for the Lakers, who on Thursday ended Eastern Conference leader Boston's 12-game winning streak. "It's been a long stretch and I'm ready to go home and put my feet in the sand," Odom said. |
