The Lakers End 2024 With 122-110 Loss to Cavaliers. Dorian Finney-Smith, Shake Milton Make Debuts.
The Lakers brought a different look to the floor Tuesday night at the Crypt to face the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the ultimate result was the same as it’s been for most teams against the Cavs this season: A loss.
Cleveland ran its record to 29-4, the Lakers fall to 18-14.
The Lakers played hard, and did some good stuff, but more than anything, the game illustrated the gap that still remains between them and the NBA’s ultra-elite, a gap that was even more apparent on a night where the Lakers had to integrate two new players (Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, with Gabe Vincent in street clothes) and didn’t shoot well (9-35 from downtown). The gap was apparent every time the Lakers made a push to erase multiple double-digit deficits—when the Cavs needed a bucket, they got one, showing why they’re the league’s best offense. (Cleveland was just a tick below 40% from 3-point range, and had five players in double figures.)
This wasn’t a bad game for the Lakers. They played hard. They had some highlights (including 35/9/10 from Austin Reaves, 28/13/4 from Anthony Davis, only nine turnovers). They did some stuff that would have bothered a lesser offensive team (Max Christie in particular was putting in work). And at the very least, the Lakers put in a better effort than the one they delivered in Cleveland at the end of October. In the end, the game confirmed what most people already knew: The Cavs are better.
Ultimately, a game like this can serve as a marker for a team like the Lakers, who are quality, have some ambitions, but also know they’re not where they need to be. There can be value in playing well and losing, especially if the Lakers can carry the good stuff into Thursday and Friday’s games (Portland and Atlanta, respectively. If they do, they’ll enter the weekend 20-14.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers lose to Cleveland 122-110.
SEGMENT 2: New guys make their debut.
SEGMENT 3: Starting 2025 with some optimism.
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28 Comments
But also I saw AR, Rui, Max, etc. getting beat of the dribble a ton and AD having to leave Allen to defend those players and that's how Allen got a ton of points also.
Lakers need to remove Rui in a trade for a big body ..I can already see Finny is just a gritty player that won't shrink defensively,and you don't have to keep reminding him to rebound like you do with Rui.
End 2024 Lakres 110 vs 1122 Cave loss again 👀👍🏿
As a Cav’s fan I must say that the Felix Frankforter side quest conversation was pure gold and worth the watch! Happy New Year’s Everyone!!!
Let’s be honest The Lakers ain’t winning a championship unless Polinka somehow fixes the roster ( gets legitimate two way guard to play next to AR, gets a solid AD backup and boosts up the bench).
Shame cus I absolutely love LeBron and wish he would win two more chips to shut up all the ‚jordan got six rings’ sayers
The coolest thing about being a Cavs fan right now, is gong to all the other podcast and listening to how the other team justifies what just happened to them.
Sure this is a moral victory for a team that is always talked about on ESPN as either a Championship contender or the worst franchise of all-time for 11 of the 19 mins of NBA coverage given.
Lakers did so well, to keep up with a team that played in Golden State the night before, while the Lakers havr the night off to practice and incorporate new dudes.
I like the fact there is no coverage of the Cavs, every team Cavs face their fans are shocked at how this is how the Cavs play basketball.
At least tonight Lakers fans got to see beautiful shared team basketball of more than two guys dribbling next to each oterh, while the other three guys go stand on the 3-point line with both hands sticking out.to
To think the Lakers came so close in a game that Evan Mobley only had 7 points, Evan is the Cavs Unicorn player, Evan is the Cavs Championship window, at some point he will be better than Spiida.
I just wish that the Lakers would stop with the iso ball stuff, lack of developemt in Lebron's first stint with Cleveland made him believe that he has to do it all, in reality with Lebron's want to pass, the Cavs offense would have been perfect for his skill set, before LBJ neutered it by his lack of trust in his organization…..(that one is on the ineptness of Cleveland)
Hats off to the cavaliers, they are a well coached.
Team ,they look amazing .
Why no Hayes today? Thought he was cleared
#NomDePlume 😂💯💜💛
No defense shooting terrible and u get mad and leave early. Bout the 7.8 Milly for nothing. Aww and the 50 million dollar 😮😮😮😮😮Loser
Defense defense defense. If DEFENSE is played the Cavs lose. And the Lakers need to be TOUGHER defensively.
cavs seemed to be in cruise control not really even playing hard.. still won by 12.. 👀
laker fans dont know that finney smith sucks. its embarrssing their lack of knowledge
We needed another center since 2020 only rob doesn’t seem to realize it!
😂😂😂Dlo was not missed on that floor last nite come on guys lmao they need a real center with AD and AD need to box out plus play with more effort and one more perimeter defender the could have totally one last night
Take a look at the rebounds by starters. when they're not hitting shots that's where the problem is
They need to go get nic claxton
I’m only halfway through, so please forgive me if Andy ever got to finally giving Austin his credit.. but Andy we’re sick of it. Austin has done nothing but exceed expectations and has been the most critical part of the Lakers offense all season. 35-10-9 against the best team in the league WHILE guarding Darius Garland and this is what we get from you?! No love for him whatsoever? Your immutable bias against him is unbelievable. Start giving credit where credit is absolutely due.
Wishy Washy Brian😢😢😢
Supreme Court Pervs…. You're KILLING ME ANDY😂😂😂😂
FELIX FRANKFUTHER😂😂😂😂
Cavs are nuts. Honestly I’ve watched them their last 3 games and they didn’t even play good last night. Coming off a back to back they were a little sluggish but still plenty good enough. Lake show has a lot of work to do integrating their new guys.
Cavs playing second of a back-back on the road and still won by 12 😂 😂 The Fakers Fans 🤔🤔
Coach JJ needs to sit Kinect & Reddick (hesitant to trigger 3s) & even Rui (skillset too much redundancy with Dorian)..felt like too many cooks ..also can we get a true center
Keep Dorian Smith at any means necessary that can be Lakers energy guy for sure👍🏾
These guys do a good job… going to have to find a way to ignore the comment section. Embarrassing for lakers nation.
Thanks for the breakdown! A bit off-topic, but I wanted to ask: I have a SafePal wallet with USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). What's the best way to send them to Binance?
Happy new year Andy and Brian! Definitely feeling a little more optimistic going into 2025 with moves and recent play.
All most fans want from this team is a competitive team game by game. Consistently competitive.
DFS will definitely help them compete consistently more often.
Go lakers!