Los Angeles Lakers sought to start their four-game road trip against the Cleveland Cavaliers on a positive note after suffering a difficult defeat to the Dallas Mavericks.

The entire night, the game was close, but Los Angeles prevailed 121-115 over Cleveland.

The Lakers jumped out to an early 7-0 lead by hitting the rim, and they didn’t let up until the Cavaliers answered to make it 10-6. About halfway through the quarter, LeBron James suffered a punch to the face, and the trainers had to fetch a towel to clean his bloodied nose. Luckily, he was still able to compete.

Both sides struggled with turnovers as they made a number of careless errors, but Los Angeles managed to maintain their lead. But by the end of the first quarter, their defense collapsed, and the Lakers entered the second half behind 40–35.

Although they gave up too many easy baskets on the other end, Los Angeles remained aggressive by scoring in the painted area. After making two three-pointers, Christian Wood cut the Cleveland lead to four points and forced a timeout.

Though the Cavaliers continued to respond on the other end, Anthony Davis started to make an impression by scoring deep in the paint. Late in the second quarter, Jaxson Hayes also contributed with a few easy baskets around the rim, and the Lakers trailed 71-70 at the break.

Los Angeles had a four-point advantage after Davis scored the first five points of the third quarter. Before Austin Reaves found Davis for a lob to hold the Lakers up 85-83, Cleveland briefly tied the game.

Due to Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers were able to recover the lead in the back-and-forth style of play. Although Davis was thriving under the defensive single covering he was receiving, Los Angeles entered the final round behind 94-93.

Even while the Cavaliers managed to keep it close, James eventually broke through the arc to lead the Lakers to the century mark first. To Los Angeles’ dismay, Cleveland managed to ensure that the game remained in reach despite their manpower shortage.

By entering the paint and either scoring a basket or getting to the free throw line, James and Davis forced the matter. Tension increased in the final minutes as the Cavaliers were able to narrow the deficit thanks to an incorrect call and a turnover, but Austin Reaves made his last free throws and the Lakers held on for the well-deserved victory.