=== Cleveland Cavaliers Team Report - January 14 ===

(My Sportsbook) - The Cleveland Cavaliers fell to the Los Angeles Lakers, 98-94, on Thursday at the Staples Center.

The loss, Cleveland's first in five games, overshadowed a tremendous performance by LeBron James. The second-year star nearly put together a triple-double, finishing with 28 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.

Jeff McInnis had 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting and Zydrunas Ilguaskas scored 13 with 15 rebounds for the Cavaliers. However, the duo combined for just seven points in the second half.

Cleveland took an 87-86 lead on Eric Snow's three-pointer with 2:41 to play, but Odom put LA back in front with a tough turnaround jumper on the baseline seconds later.

The Cavaliers managed just one point on their next three possessions and the Lakers extended their advantage to 94-88 with 24 seconds left after hitting six straight free throws. However, a McInnis three-pointer with 17 seconds on the clock and James' trey with 10 ticks remaining brought the visitors to within 95-94.

Caron Butler was fouled with nine seconds remaining but sunk just one of the two bonus shots to make it a two-point affair. James then launched a deep three with the clock running down, but it rimmed out. Lamar Odom hit two free throw attempts for the final score.

James has scored 20 or more points in five straight games. He is averaging 25 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists in that span.

Cleveland is off until Saturday when it visits the Utah Jazz. It will be the first time the Cavaliers face former teammate Carlos Boozer, who left in the offseason as a free agent to sign with Jazz in what was a very controversial signing.