Recap: Los Angeles Lakers 95, Cleveland Cavaliers 98 01/27/08
LeBron James won a personal duel against Kobe Bryant to help the Cleveland Cavaliers overcome a nine-point deficit on the way to a 98-95 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
James scored 14 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter when the Cavaliers, who had trailed 84-75, rallied to win for the eighth time in 10 games.
"We played another great game," James told reporters.
"We've been playing extremely well the last two months and once again we continue to play well, we continue to defend and that's what gives us a chance to win."
Bryant had 33 points for the Lakers, who lost for a third consecutive game.
Los Angeles had the ball for the final nine seconds but could not get a shot off until Bryant, after a pass from Luke Walton, launched a three-point attempt after the buzzer.
"I fumbled the ball a little bit, wasn't aware the clock was as low as it was and as soon as I passed it back to Kobe, I realised that that was a mistake and unfortunately it cost us big," Walton said.
James said Cleveland 's defense in the final seconds was instrumental in the victory.
"For us to play the defense that we did and not even give them a shot was great by everybody that was on the court," James said.
Bryant said he was unhappy with the chances the Lakers had given away in recent games.
"We just have stretches of mental lapses, putting teams on the free throw line when you have a good cushion, giving them these opportunities to get back in the game," he said.
Bryant had 12 rebounds and six assists to go with his 33 points. Lamar Odom was the only other Laker in double figures, taking 14 points.
Zydrunas Ilgaiskas added 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavaliers.
The game was delayed for 12 minutes in the first quarter after raindrops began falling from the roof.
