It's a rarity that Lakers coach Phil Jackson isn't familiar with the opposing team's players. Well he admitted so Tuesday against a Cleveland team filled with undrafted players and NBA D-League players. And the Cavaliers played like it.
The Cavaliers, who have been injury-plagued all season, struggled from tipoff and the game quickly turned into a scrimmage just mere minutes into the first quarter as the Lakers posted a record-setting night defensively, crushing the Cavaliers 112-57 Tuesday at Staples Center. The Lakers (28-11) held the Cavaliers to the fewest points scored by a Laker opponent in the shot clock era. The previous low was 66 points by the Charlotte Hornets on March 12, 2002. The margin of victory (55) by the Lakers was the third largest in team history (63 was the most against the Warriors on March 19, 1972). The 57 points posted by the Cavaliers (8-30) were the fewest they have scored in franchise history. The previous low was 59 points against the Spurs on March 25, 1997.
Elsewhere, the Pacers snapped a nine road game losing streak in Philadelphia behind 27 points from Danny Granger, and 21 points and 13 assists from Darren Collison. Meanwhile, the rumors did not affect Melo’s game, he went for 28 points and 10 rebounds on a way to a 132-98 win for Denver over the Suns.
