(Basketball news) The Cleveland Cavaliers breezed past the Los Angeles Lakers 114-110. For the Cavs, Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points and Darius Garland added 24 as Jarrett Allen added 16 points. For the Lakers, LeBron James scored 27 points as he lost to his hometown Cavaliers for only the second time in 19 meetings during his 20-year NBA career. Anthony Davis had 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, as their record dropped to 2-7 with a second straight home defeat while Russell Westbrook had 19 points and 10 assists with seven turnovers in another lively performance as a reserve. On the other hand, the Cavs improved their record to 8-1 which was their longest winning streak since a 13-game streak in late 2017 during James' final season with the team.

''You've always got to have respect for greatness,'' said Mitchell, who grew up a fan of James and the Cavs. ''When the greatest are on the floor, you just go out there and try to find a way to compete and get a win. We came out there and were just trying to do what we've been doing, and fortunately it was against Bron, but that wasn't a talking point or anything.''’

''LeBron does a lot for the city, did a lot for the city,'' Garland said. ''So just having a whole different generation of guys with a whole bunch of talent, and just a great team overall that everybody loves, it would mean a lot for us and the city of Cleveland (to make the playoffs again). That's what we're pushing for.''

''I got in trouble last time when I was just giving an honest opinion'' about the Cavs during last season's All-Star break, James said with a smile. ''Which I don't care, so I'll give another. … They did a great job in the offseason of picking up a big-time player. They have a really good team and a great coach. A well-balanced team and a bunch of players (who) seem like they just really want to play ball.'

The Utah Jazz remained second of the Western Conference standings as they beat the Los Angeles Clippers 110-102. For the Jazz, Jordan Clarkson scored 23 points and reserve Collin Sexton added 22 as Markkanen finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. For the Clippers, Paul George scored 34 points while Marcus Morris added 18 points  but their three-game winning streak got snapped. The Utah Jazz have a  8-3 record. 

''We gotta stick together,'' Nicolas Batum said. ''We'll be OK.''

''Lauri (Markkanen) did a really good job of making Paul George work hard and not just to make shots but to get the ball,'' Hardy said. ''Not all 11 (3-pointers) were guarded perfectly. There were just some that were missed.''

''I'm starting to get more comfortable in myself,'' Sexton said. ''Just staying ready and being present throughout the game.'We battled the entire game and we didn't get down when Paul George made a tough shot”

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