CLEVELAND — LeBron James felt only love at home.
Making his first trip back to Cleveland since leaving for the second time as a free agent, James was welcomed like a hero Wednesday night (Thursday Manila time) and rallied the Los Angeles Lakers to a 109-105 victory over the Cavaliers, who played an inspired game against their former teammate but couldn't stop him when it mattered most.
James finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists. He also scored or assisted on 11 straight points to help the Lakers overcome a 99-91 deficit in the fourth quarter.
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The Cavs had a chance to tie late, but Kyle Korver missed a wide-open 3-pointer with 17 seconds left, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope made four free throws in the final 15 to seal it.
The NBA-worst Cavs didn't roll over against James and played one of their best games this season. They seemed in control up 99-91 before James, as he did some many times for Cleveland. Jordan Clarkson had 20 points for Cleveland.
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