Lakers, despite two more injuries, hold off Cavaliers, 119-108

The Lakers ran out of players and nearly blew a 29-point lead before a pair of late Steve Blake three-pointers ended the Cleveland Cavaliers’ rally and helped secure a 119-108 victory on Wednesday night.

Playing on the second night of back-to-back games, without Kobe Bryant (knee), Pau Gasol (groin), Steve Nash (resting), Jodie Meeks (ankle), Jordan Hill (cervical strain) and Xavier Henry (knee) -- the Lakers lost two more players against Cleveland.

Nick Young left the game early with a knee injury. Jordan Farmar was unable to finish the game with a calf injury. Chris Kaman then fouled out, leaving the Lakers with five available players: Steve Blake, Kendall Marshall, Wesley Johnson, Ryan Kelly and Robert Sacre.

The Lakers tried to hold onto their double-digit lead, but Cleveland closed its deficit to six points with 1:17 left on the clock.

Sacre had already been called for his sixth personal foul with 3 1/2 minutes left in the game. Since the Lakers didn’t have anyone else available to replace him, the Cavaliers were rewarded a technical foul and Sacre stayed in the game. If he fouled again, it would go down as a team foul and a technical foul shot would be awarded to the Cavaliers. Sacre didn’t foul the rest of the way, though.

Blake’s 11th point came on a three-pointer with 56.9 seconds left, helping the Lakers end their seven-game losing streak.

C.J. Miles was the game’s leading scorer with 27 points. All-Star starter Kyrie Irving sat the fourth quarter (Coach Mike Brown’s decision).

Kelly led the Lakers with 26 points. Farmar finished with 21 points and eight assists in his first game back after a hamstring injury. Wesley Johnson contributed 20 points.

As a team, the Lakers shot 18 of 37 (48.6%) from three-point range and 53.2% from the field.

The Cavaliers made only 37.6% of their shots from the field. Anderson Varejao contributed a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. He also led Cleveland with five assists, tied with Matt Dellavedova.

Eight Lakers scored in double figures, including 13 from Kaman, 12 from Marshall and 10 from Sacre. Young scored six with four assists in 17 1/2 minutes before sitting out with injury.

Cleveland’s Luol Deng scored just three points on on 1-of-10 shooting.

The Lakers (17-32) travel to Philadelphia to play the 76ers (15-35) on Friday night.

The Cavaliers (16-33) also play Friday, visiting the Washington Wizards (24-34).

Lakers 98, Cavaliers 80 (end of third quarter)

Nick Young left the game with a twisted knee, giving the Lakers only seven available players, but they still managed to hold onto most of their halftime lead, with Cleveland cutting its deficit by three points in the third quarter.

Ryan Kelly leads all scorers with 22 points. Jordan Farmar has 21 points while Wesley Johnson has added 20.

The Cavaliers, who are being led by C.J. Miles with 14 points off the bench, are shooting just 39% from the field.

The Lakers are making 54.7% of their shots from the field and 51.7% from three-point range.

Cleveland’s Luol Deng has made only one of 10 from the field for three points. All-Star Kyrie Irving has 11 points on 5-of-14 shooting.

Lakers 70, Cavaliers 49 (halftime)

The Lakers held onto their big lead in the second quarter, continuing their blitz from three-point range.

Jordan Farmar leads all scorers with 19 points on 5-of-6 shooting from behind the arc.

As a team the Lakers made 58.8% (10-17) of their shots from three-point range and 62.5% from the field. Chris Kaman contributed nine points off the bench, making all four of his shots. Wesley Johnson had 15 points, all in the first quarter, while Ryan Kelly chipped in 13.

Tristan Thompson leas the Cavaliers with 12 points. C.J. Miles added 10 points off the bench for Cleveland, which shot only 37.3% from the field.

Lakers 36, Cavaliers 17 (end of first quarter)

Wesley Johnson scored 15 points to lead the Lakers’ offensive explosion against Cleveland tonight.

Playing all eight available players, Coach Mike D’Antoni saw his team shoot 71.4% from the field and 75% (6 of 8) from three-point range in the quarter.

Tristan Thompson had six points to lead the Cavaliers, who shot just 29.2% from the field.

Jordan Hill sat out with a strained neck after taking an elbow from teammate Chris Kaman on Tuesday.

Pregame

The Lakers (16-32) visit the Cleveland Cavaliers (16-32) on Wednesday night.

Cleveland has struggled to win this season, losing their last five -- but then the Lakers have dropped seven straight.

Pau Gasol (groin), Kobe Bryant (knee), Xavier Henry (knee) and Jodie Meeks (ankle) won’t play. Jordan Hill is a question mark after an inadvertent elbow to the face from Chris Kaman on Tuesday night in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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