LeBron, Cavs hand Lakers' 5th-straight loss

(AP)
Updated: 2007-02-16 15:08

LOS ANGELES - LeBron James scored 38 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat Los Angeles 114-108 Thursday night to extend the Lakers' losing streak to five games, matching the longest of coach Phil Jackson's career.


Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant reacts after a foul was called against him late in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Los Angeles, California, February 15, 2007. [Reuters]

The win was the fourth in five games for the Cavaliers (31-22), who enter the All-Star break with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.

Jackson-coached teams have lost five straight games only three times. His teams are 907-377 in 16 seasons. The Lakers (30-24) have lost 11 of their last 15 games.

Anderson Varerjao added 15 points and 11 rebounds, Larry Hughes scored 14, and Eric Snow had 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Cavaliers, who had seven player in double figures.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 34 points, six rebounds and five assists. Lamar Odom had 20 points and eight rebounds and Sasha Vujacic scored 14 for Los Angeles.

The game was the second between the teams in a five-day span. Bryant outscored James 36-18 last Sunday, but the Cavaliers rallied for a 99-90 victory in the finale of the Lakers' eight-game road trip.

Bryant and James will be on opposite sides again Sunday, when Bryant starts for the Western Conference and James for the East in the All-Star game.



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