LeBron James Puts Cavs to the Sword on his Cleveland Return

LeBron James starred as the Los Angeles Lakers came from behind to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 109 – 105 on Wednesday.

LeBron James returned to Cleveland for the first time since joining the Lakers on a four year deal last summer. He finished the game with 32 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists as the Lakers overcame a 99 – 91 deficit.

LeBron James received a standing ovation from the Cleveland fans. As well as that, he got a video tribute after scoring the game’s first points.

With the victory, the Los Angeles Lakers improved their record to 10 -7, and their sixth win in seven games.

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“To come back and get the reception I got, it means a lot,” he said.

“During the 11 years I played for this franchise I tried to give everything I could on and off the court.”

It’s safe to say that the Cleveland Cavaliers have struggled to cope with the loss of LeBron. After this latest loss, their season record is an NBA worst 2 – 14.

However, it looked for a moment as if it would be an unhappy return to Cleveland for James. Cleveland’s Jordan Clarkson scored back to back three pointers to give the Cavs a 96 – 87 lead.

Then, LeBron stepped up. He scored a three pointer, a dunk and four free throws.

“We cranked up our defence in the fourth quarter,” Clarkson said. “They played a heck of a game but we kept our composure.

“We’re a young crew. We keep getting better.”

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The Cavs will well remember James’ ability to take a game by the scruff of the neck and turn it around. He scored or assisted on 11 straight points in the fourth quarter to give them a reminder.

Perhaps this was always going to happen, as the hype before the game had all been about him.

“We recognize the fact that certainly this is a big night for the city of Cleveland,” Cavs coach Larry Drew said before tipoff, “because a hero has come back.”