On March 22, Beijing time, the NBA regular season ushered in a focus battle, the Lakers challenged the Cavaliers away, James against the old club, the Lakers fell behind by up to 14 points in the first quarter, but then they frantically chased points, surpassing 5 points before the end of halftime.
James' return to Cleveland was the biggest highlight of the game, with he just finished surpassing Karl Malone in the last game to move up to No. 2 on the overall scoring list. However, the Lakers have been in poor shape recently, with the last game just suffered a big reversal by the Wizards, ranking 10th in the West, and the playoffs playoff places are also in jeopardy. The Cavaliers finished 6th in the East, having previously won two straight.
Vogel adjusted the starter again, rarely pulling out the big lineup, with Howard and Gabriel going into the starting line-up. The Lakers started well off to 6-0, but the Cavaliers soon returned a wave of 12-0 overtaking, the Lakers' defense was bad, the Cavaliers blossomed more, and soon widened the point difference to double digits, leading by up to 14 points in the first quarter, Augustine became a Surpriser after playing, scoring 11 points in the first quarter of 4, and the Lakers trailing by 7 points in the first quarter.
As soon as the second quarter came up, James scored first on the free throw, Goodwin played 2+1, the Lakers' offense began to erupt, Westbrook hit three points, James was also very tough, after playing 2+1, the Lakers chased 38-40 only 2 points. Osman hit a three-pointer to stop the bleeding, the Lakers continued to chase the points, James scored on a fast layup, and the Lakers chased only 1 point to stop the Cavaliers. Back from the timeout, Anthony back scored a point, then hit another three-pointer, and the Lakers completed the rebound 49-48.
The two teams nibbled on the score, the score alternately rose, and Augustine hit the fourth three-pointer to bring the score to 51 draws. The two teams played a draw many times, James broke out in this quarter, bombed 17 points in a single quarter, the Lakers once again reversed the score, and the Lakers rebounded 67-62 at halftime.
James scored 21 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists on 9-of-14 shooting in the half, Westbrook 10 points and seven assists, Augustine 6-of-6 at halftime to shoot down 17 points and Rivers 8 points. For the Cavaliers, Garland had 17 points and six assists, Stevens had 10 points and three rebounds, and Markkanen had 8 points and seven rebounds.