Here is what you need to know before the Lakers’ final game before the All-Star Break, against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
1)
Last time these two teams squared off, Kobe Bryant dropped dimes like he was at a parking meter. The future Hall of Famer handed out a career-high 17 assists on Jan. 15, 2015, though the Lakers fell 120-105.
2)
Fittingly, Bryant’s last game in Cleveland is just before the All-Star Break. His first great moment came in that same arena back in 1998, when an 18-year-old Bryant hammered his way to the Slam Dunk Contest crown. His final jam, a between-the-legs throwdown, earned him a score of 49 out of 50.
3)
Like the Lakers, Cleveland also boasts one of the greatest players of all-time on its roster. LeBron James ranks fifth in scoring this year with 24.9 points, and hasn’t been held to single digits in nine years. He is also coming off his first triple-double of the year, as he racked up 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against Sacramento on Tuesday.
4)
James has also been the NBA’s most reliably clutch player this season. In the final two minutes of games, he has shot 13-of-19 on attempts to tie or take the lead. This is the league’s best mark in terms of both made baskets and percentage hit (68.4).
5)
After missing nearly the first two months of the season, Kyrie Irving is back to playing at an All-Star level. In his last seven games, he has poured in 25.7 points on a 54.6 percent clip.
6)
Kevin Love remains one of the league’s most skilled frontcourt players, as he ranks eighth in rebounds (10.4) and leads all bigs in 3-pointers (2.1). Though he hasn’t received as many post-up opportunities as in the past, he also leads the league by shooting 50.0 percent on such attempts.
7)
Since the New Year began, J.R. Smith has been burning up from beyond the arc. He is averaging the second-most 3-pointers (3.5) in 2016, and is 25-of-45 from deep in his last five games.
8)
The Cavs have Tristan Thompson patrolling the glass at an elite rate. He leads all bench players in rebounds (9.1), and ranks sixth among the entire league — including those playing far more minutes — in offensive boards (3.4).
9)
Cleveland has put together a strong showing on both sides of the ball. The Cavaliers allow the league’s fourth-fewest points (96.7) and also rank fourth in offensive efficiency (106.5).
10)
The Cavs have gone 7-3 since Tyronn Lue became interim coach in the wake of David Blatt’s firing. Lue played the first three seasons of his career with the Lakers, winning championships in 2000 and 2001.
