Cavaliers End Six Game Losing Streak

After losing six straight and nine of the last ten, Cavs fans can thank the lowly Los Angles Lakers for the opportunity to end the skid. While not pretty, the Cavs escaped Staples Center with a 109-102 victory.

(Richard Mackson, USA Today Sports)

There used to be a point in time where Lebron vs Kobe was one of the most sought-after match ups of the NBA season. It was such a popular event that Nike even made puppets of the two.  Lebron would however go to Miami, the Lakers would slowly deteriorate, and in the early parts of 2015 fans are presented two of the greatest talents ever trying to keep sinking ships afloat.  

In his second game back from injury, Lebron James once again lead the way for the Cavs, this time in a win. Topping 30 points for the second game in a row, the Lakers had no answer for him defensively. 

The Lakers would make it a competitive game however. Kobe Bryant in under 32 minutes would score an efficient 19 points but more impressively added 17 assists, a career high. With the game in the balance, Kobe was unable to will the Lakers to a win as he missed a critical jumpshot in the closing minute. Despite Kobe's efforts and the Lakers shooting over 50 percent from the field, the Cavs somehow managed to pull one out.

Chipping in on the Cavs win were the other two members of the Big Three. Together, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love would combine for 39 points. 

Three Things

1. Lebron James the scorer?

In two games back Lebron is averaging 34 ppg, 6 rpg, 5 apg, on 57 percent shooting. As a result there have been two games, each decided by seven points. First the notion that Lebron is declining should be thrown out, those aren't declining numbers. However, it is interesting to keep an eye out on if Lebron's scoring keeps being upward of 30. I'm of the belief that this Cavalier team is better when Lebron is in facilitator mode and when they went on their winning streak earlier in the season, this was the case.

2. Bad News Bench

Through 40 games played, the Cavaliers rank dead last in bench points per game. On Thursday night, the Cavs bench scored 16 points, eights points lower than their average. The anticipated move of J.R. Smith to the bench once Iman Shumpert returns from injury should help this problem but for the Cavs to get better they must get better production out of the bench, too much pressure still relies on the starters. 

3. Kobe vs Lebron Big Picture

As a kid, I was never the biggest fan of Kobe Bryant but even I knew how special it was when he and Lebron got together. Today, I fully appreciate Kobe's game and what he did for the game of basketball. Watching the game, it was almost sad to see Kobe play with so little talent, do everything he could and still come up short. The respect the two have for each other is genuine and after the game even Kobe reflected on the matchup saying, "If we were contending for a championship, I'd be mu same moody self but right now, I tend to have a little more perspective, knowing I really won't get a chance to play against him for much longer, so you want to enjoy it." Bottom line, when the likes of Kobe, Lebron, D.Wade and Melo get together, fans should appreciate the meetings, as their elite matchups are numbered.

Statline of the Night: 

Lebron James: 36 points on 12-24 shooting, 5 assists, 5 rebounds

I mean how many times have we seen this stat line before? No need to say anymore.