Game Grades: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James Provide A Classic In Lakers Loss

MVP: Kobe Bryant, who set a career-high in assists and looked as spry as he had in a LONG time. This was one of his best performances of the season, if not his best one. He went mano-y-mano against LeBron James late and kept the Lakers in the game late.

LVP: Ronnie Price. While he fits better with Bryant the ball-handler than Jeremy Lin might, he still offers little on the defensive end. And when I say little, I mean nothing. He does nothing defensively. Kyrie Irving blew by him all night.

Stat of the Night: 13-8. The offensive rebounding battle, which ended in favor of the Cavs. It was especially evident down the stretch when the Lakers would force a missed shot, only to have it rebounded a put back in, negating the solid defensive possession.

The Starters

The Bench

Next: Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James: The Struggle is Real