Los Angeles Lakers (50-26) beat Cleveland Cavaliers (47-29) 127-113 at home on Tuesday, March 31.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Cavaliers had the better start, winning the first 34-32 to lead by 2 after one. The Lakers moved in front with a 33-19 second quarter, carrying a 12-point lead into halftime.
The Lakers won the third 45-30 to create some separation, taking a 27-point lead into the fourth. The Cavaliers took the fourth 30-17; the Lakers held on for a 127-113 regulation win.
What decided it
The Lakers made 28.9 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 16.1 for the Cavaliers. The Lakers took better care of the ball, turning it over on 10.4% of possessions compared with 14.2% for the Cavaliers. The points at the line gave them room for error elsewhere.
At roughly 97 possessions per team, the Lakers produced 130.4 points per 100 possessions to 116 for the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 52-20.
Who made the difference
Luka Doncic was the game's biggest individual force for LAL: 42 pts, 5 reb, 12 ast on 13-26 shooting. His Game Score of 39.3 led everyone. His team was +21 with him on the floor.
Jarrett Allen led the Cavaliers with 18 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast on 9-11 shooting, good for a 15.7 Game Score.
Luka Doncic (42 pts, 5 reb, 12 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 63% for the Lakers.
Across the last 3 meetings in our records, Cleveland Cavaliers lead 3-0.
The Lakers are now 50-26, and the Cavaliers are 47-29. The Lakers last five before this game: W-L-W-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.