Garland, Mitchell Lead Cavs Past Lakers To 8th Straight Win

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, 45, passes to Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, and forward LeBron James during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points and Darius Garland had 24 as Cleveland's dynamic backcourt returned from injury and the Cavaliers beat LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 114-100 on Sunday for their eighth straight win. .

Jarrett Allen added 16 points to back up late performances by Cleveland's two guards as the Cavs improved to 8-1 and extended James' longest hitting streak to 13 games since his last season with the team in late 2017.

James scored 27 points, but lost to the hometown Cavaliers for the second time in 19 games in his 20-year NBA career. His only loss came in March 2011 in Miami.

"You always have to respect greatness," said Mitchell, who grew up a James and Cavs fan. “When the big guys are on the road, you try to find a way to go out and compete and win. "We went out there and tried to do what we did and fortunately it worked against Bron, but it's not a talking point or anything."

Mitchell topped the 30-point mark for the sixth time in eight games to keep pace with his new team.

Cleveland hasn't made the playoffs without James since 1998, but the current group looks poised to make history. Manager J. B. Bickerstaff blamed LA for a slow start to 12 at the break, but recovered easily in the second half.

"LeBron did a lot for the city, he did a lot for the city, " Garland said. “So to have another generation of great talent and just a great team that everybody likes, it's going to mean a lot to us and the city of Cleveland (to make the playoffs again). We emphasize this."

Anthony Davis had 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who fell to 2-7 after their second straight home loss. Russell Westbrook had 19 points and seven assists to go with 10 assists in another spirited performance off the bench, but neither Mitchell nor Garland could respond defensively for the Lakers.

"Last time I was in trouble," James said with a laugh about the Cavs during the All-Star break last season. “I don't care about that, so I'll give you another one. … They did a great job picking up a very successful player in the offseason. They have a great team and a great coach. A balanced team and a lot of players (who seem to just want to play football).''

Garland had played in just one of the Cavs' previous seven games with an eye injury and subsequent knee injury. Garland and Mitchell (sprained left ankle) missed Cleveland's win over Detroit on Friday, but both stars returned to top form by shooting 17-for-35, 3-for-4 and 19-for-20. Free line.

"We weren't ready (in the second half)," Westbrook said, "we got caught up ."

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Cavaliers: USC product and Southern California native Evan Mobley had five points on 2-of-7 shooting and seven rebounds in 30 minutes.

Lakers: Lead after the first quarter for the first time this season. … Kendrick Nunn went 18 minutes without a goal in his first start for the ailing Patrick Beverley. … James made 16 straight 3-pointers in four games with one shot in the fourth quarter.

Cavaliers: Monday at Clippers.

Lakers: Monday at Jazz.