The highlight of the game last night was in the final moments when the two superstars wanted to guard each other.
“If you want to win ballgames you have to be able to take on the best player,” said James
“I didn’t even ask,” James said. “I just told Sasha (Pavlovic) to go somewhere else.”
Bryant asked the same thing coach Phil Jackson during that time out.
coach Jackson wasn’t totally sold, but went with his wishes.”Why not?” Bryant said later. “I look forward to those matchups, that’s what I do as a defensive player.”
James scored 33 points and added 10 rebounds and five assists.
Daniel Gibson added 15 points, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 12 points. The Cavs held the Lakers to 12 points on 5-of-22 shooting in the fourth quarter.
This was the Cavaliers third win in 12 games.
News from local media:
– LeBron gets better of Bryant in victory (Akron Beacon Journal)
– Cavs answer coach’s pleas for defense and beat Lakers (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
News from National Media:
– Cover Me: LeBron Outdoes Kobe In Head-To-Head Defense (ESPN Daily Dime)
– LeBron vs. Kobe still looks like a stand-off (FOX Sports.com)
– LeBron scores 33 in win over Lakers (Los Angeles Times)