Player Grades: Lakers vs. Cavaliers

Coming into March, the Lakers were floating adrift, fresh off three demoralizing losses to the Celtics, Magic and Suns and staring the toughest stretch of the season in the face.

The Lakers exit March having loudly declared they are a legitimate contender. According to Positive Residual, they had the second-most games and the 10th-hardest schedule in March.

Advertisement

They finished the month with a 15-2 record. The two losses coming to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and the Nuggets in Denver. Those were offset by a revenge win over Denver and victories over the Knicks, Wolves, Rockets and Cavs, all teams in the playoffs.

It’s on a short list for the best months the team has had since the 2019-20 season and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.

LeBron James

31 minutes, 14 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, 4-8 FG, 1-3 3PT, 5-6 FT, +4

Advertisement

It was a very loud 14 points for LeBron, who had one of the highlights of the month with his big alley-oop slam off Austin Reaves’ alley-oop. We’ve come a long way this season with Austin’s alley-oops, too.

Grade: B+

Jake LaRavia

38 minutes, 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 5-5 FG, 2-2 3PT, 2-2 FT, +23

One of Jake’s best games in months. It was great to see him knock down multiple threes. When he scores, it feels like such a huge boost because of everything else he does.

Grade: A

Deandre Ayton

28 minutes, 18 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 foul, 8-13 FG, 2-3 FT, +10

Advertisement

Speaking of great games from role players, Ayton came up against one of the toughest frontcourts in the league and held his own.

Grade: A-

Austin Reaves

37 minutes, 19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 5 turnovers, 3 fouls, 6-16 FG, 2-9 3PT, 5-5 FT, +4

While his shooting left a lot to be desired and he had some perplexing turnovers — he really loved a wild behind-the-back pass tonight — it does feel like Austin is in a better rhtyhm and…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/player-grades-lakers-vs-cavaliers-073126120.html

Author :

Publish date : 2026-04-01 07:31:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.