The Cleveland Cavaliers may have been struggling to find consistency, but one thing is for sure: They’re an outstanding team at home.
On Tuesday, they hosted LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, a team that had won eight of its last 10 games and is starting to look like a very solid squad.
In the first quarter, Cleveland got an extremely lucky break when Anthony Davis, who had just been named Western Conference Player of the Week, exited the game and didn’t return because of flu-like symptoms.
The team took advantage, holding off a challenge by the Lakers in the third quarter to pull away for a 116-102 victory.
Donovan Mitchell feasted with 43 points on 17-of-27 shooting, while Jarrett Allen returned after missing the last five games and pitched in 24 points and 11 rebounds while doing most of his damage in the first half.
Jarrett Allen at the half:
22 Points
7 Rebounds
2 Assists
2 Steals
10/11 FG
2/4 FT#LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/ozz8qkh1S5— Its Cavalier (@ItsCavalier_Pod) December 7, 2022
These two fans praised Allen being back in the lineup and keying the Cavs’ frontline.
Damn good win. Jarrett Allen being back rules. Donovan is HIM. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/VhzSjpfQ52
— Buck Mulligan (@jiptherip) December 7, 2022
Jarrett Allen is so important to these Cavs. #LetEmKnow https://t.co/BR2bzH0YQU
— Nick Pedone (@NickPedone12) December 7, 2022
In particular, fans are thrilled about Donovan Mitchell’s status as the new king of The Land.
On the night where LeBron returned to Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell was the best player on the floor.
& it wasn’t really close. #LetEmKnow
— Nick Pedone (@NickPedone12) December 7, 2022
Donovan Mitchell, now here’s a guy that clearly enjoys his new hometown. #LetEmKnow
I’ve gotta say, I don’t blame him one bit. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/5lTk3AQkCc
— Not Cris Collinsworth (@NotCrisCworths) December 7, 2022
Home And Away Have Been Like Night And Day
With the win over L.A., the Cavs improved to 11-1 at home, which is the NBA’s best home record.
However, J.B. Bickerstaff’s crew has lots of work to do, as it has won just five of 13 contests away from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Tuesday’s victory was certainly important, as the Cavs were coming off a very ugly outing at Madison Square Garden in which they scored just 81 points and lost to the mediocre New York Knicks.
Next for Cleveland are very winnable home contests against the Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder before a quick Texas road trip with games versus the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks.
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