Lakers’ rally comes too late against Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland Cavaliers 120 - Lakers 118 (end of regulation)

Nick Young’s three-point attempt with 9.9 seconds left in the game wouldn’t fall, extinguishing a late Lakers’ rally against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Instead, the Cavaliers hold on for a 120-118 victory, sending the Lakers to their 11th loss in 12 tries.

BOX SCORE: Cleveland 120, Lakers 118

With star point guard Kyrie Irving on the bench with five fouls, the Cavaliers went on a 12-0 run in the fourth, pulling ahead by eight.

Young helped pull the Lakers back within two, hitting three free throws with 25.3 seconds left. Tristan Thompson split a pair at the line with 16.5 on the clock setting up Young’s three-point attempt that just didn’t fall.

After another Thompson free throw, Gasol was able to hit a layup with 0.1 left on the clock – too late to change the outcome.

Luol Deng led all scorers with 27 points on 9-of-15 shooting in 38 minutes. Six Cavaliers scored in double figures including Anderson Varejao (18), Dion Waiters (17), Thompson (15), Irving (13) and Matthew Dellavedova (11).

Young scored 28 off the bench for the Lakers, hitting 4 of 8 from three-point range and all 10 free throw attempts. He also dished six assists with just one turnover.

Jodie Meeks scored a season high 26 points, hitting six three-pointers. Pau Gasol contributed 20 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks.

Wesley Johnson also helped offensively with 17 points. Kendall Marshall had a double-double with 10 points and 16 assists.

Offense wasn’t the issue for the Lakers, who shot 52.4% from the field.

The Cavaliers flourished behind the arc, hitting a stunning 76.5% from three-point range (13-17). The Lakers also hit 13, but needed 34 attempts (38.2%).

Cleveland shot 46.6% from the field but did even greater damage at the line, hitting 25 of 32 attempts (78.1%).

The Lakers (14-24) will now embark on a seven-game road trip Wednesday night in Phoenix (21-16) against the Suns.

The Cavaliers (14-24) also play Wednesday, traveling to Portland to visit the Trail Blazers (28-9).

Cavaliers 88 - Lakers 85 (end of third quarter)

The Lakers’ halftime lead quickly evaporated in the third quarter.

Dating back to Jarrett Jack’s basket to end the second period, the Cavaliers went on a 20-4 run, eventually taking a 10-point lead over the Lakers.

The Lakers staunched the bleeding as Kyrie Irving went to the bench with a fourth foul.

Jodie Meeks led the Lakers with 23 points on 8-12 shooting. Luol Deng had 20 for the Cavaliers.

The Lakers shot 52.5% from the field through three quarters while Cleveland shot 44.9%.

Lakers 63 - Cavaliers 57 (halftime)

The Lakers exploded for 40 points in the second quarter against the Cavaliers, turning what was once an eight-point deficit into an 11-point advantage at one point.

Cleveland whittled the Lakers’ lead down to six on a later Jarrett Jack jumper.

The Lakers shot 54.8% from the field, led by 18 from Jodie Meeks, who hit four three-pointers in six attempts.

Nick Young also contributed 16 off the bench.

The Cavaliers were led by Luol Deng with 11 points. Anderson Varejao also scored 10 as Cleveland shot 51.1% from the field.

Lakers point guard Kendall Marshall scored just three points but dished seven assists with two turnovers.

Cavaliers 28 - Lakers 23 (end of first quarter)

Pau Gasol played through a toe injury, scoring six points in the first quarter against the Cavaliers.

Cleveland led by as many as eight points with Luol Deng scoring a quick nine points with three rebounds and two assists.

The Cavaliers shot 50% from the field and 75% from three-point range (3-4).

The Lakers hit just 40% and 27.3% from behind the arc (3-11), while turning the ball over five times.

Jodie Meeks and Nick Young both scored five for the Lakers.

Pregame

The Lakers (14-22), who have lost 10 of their last 11 games, get one last home game on Tuesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers (13-24) before heading out on a seven-game road trip.

The Cavaliers recently traded former Lakers center Andrew Bynum to the Chicago Bulls for Luol Deng. The Bulls have since released Bynum.

Pau Gasol is a game-time decision with a strained toe.

The Lakers have a long list of injuries, including Kobe Bryant (knee), Steve Nash (back), Steve Blake (elbow), Jordan Farmar (hamstring) and Xavier Henry (knee).

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers.

ALSO:

Pau Gasol a game-time decision Tuesday with a strained tendon in toe

With team slumping, Nick Young says, ‘It’s hard to be a Lakers fan’

Xavier Henry to slow down comeback after experiencing knee soreness

Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.