It’s always a big deal when LeBron James returns to Cleveland to play against the Cavaliers. And he usually puts on a show.
Last season, it was a 38-point triple-double against his former team. The year before he dropped 46 points back home. In his first return to Cleveland after joining the Lakers, it was a ho-hum 32 points with 14 boards and seven assists.
James’ 29.4-point career average against the Cavs is his highest against any team in the NBA. His only loss to them as a Laker was earlier this season.
But James shouldn’t be the story of Tuesday’s game.
If the Lakers want to win Tuesday, the story needs to be Anthony Davis, who is finally taking the reins from James as the best player on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Davis is averaging a career-high 28.6 points and 12.8 rebounds this season. Over his last nine games, those numbers are up to 35.3 points and 15.6 rebounds. And he’s still bringing his traditionally solid play on the defensive end.
Davis’ dominant play has led to a surge in the standings for the Lakers, who are 8-2 in their last 10 games. Davis’ MVP odds have jumped into the top eight at +2500.
When James first left Cleveland, and Davis followed from New Orleans, there was always a sense that Davis would have to become the top option in LA for the Lakers to have an extended period of success. As James inevitably declined, Davis needed to ascend.
It seemed AD was well on his way to doing that in 2020 when the Lakers won a title behind his dominant postseason in the NBA bubble, averaging more than 27 points and nine rebounds with a 65% true shooting percentage. But injuries and regression kicked in the last two years for Davis. James wasn’t the same level of greatness that could make up the difference, as predicted. And LA sunk to the bottom of the standings.
The Lakers started this season 2-10. The skid ended when Davis finally decided to be the man. And that’s why the story of Tuesday’s game has to be Davis, not James. Because though the Cavs are favored by 5.5 points, the Lakers can beat almost anybody as long as Davis isn’t taking a backseat.
I think there’s room for him to do that and James to still have a good homecoming.
Prince’s Pick: Lakers +5.5
Props: Anthony Davis Over 27.5 Points & James Over 40.5 Points+Rebounds+Assists
