Will LeBron James play his first NBA game as a 40-year-old against the Cavs tonight? FREE STREAM

Posted by Admin December 31, 2024 NBA

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LOS ANGELES – If he suits up, LeBron James is set to make history, becoming the first player to play in the NBA as a teenager and in his 40’s. The honor will come against the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, his former team. It all takes place today – Tuesday, Dec. 31 – at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The game is available to watch on multiple streaming services for free.

This game will be broadcast live on FanDuel Sports Network Ohio (formerly Bally Sports Ohio) and Spectrum SportsNet with tipoff at 9 p.m. Eastern (6 p.m. Pacific). Fans who have parted ways with their cable provider can catch the game at no cost by taking advantage of streaming alternatives like DirecTV Stream, which offers a free trial. FuboTV is also offering a free trial and $30 off your first month.

After some soul searching the past couple weeks, the Lakers (18-13) have won five of their last six games as they jockey for early position in the Western Conference standings.

They are currently the seventh seed in the conference, while only being half a game behind the Clippers for first-place in the Pacific Division.

James, The NBA’s all-time leading scorer, celebrated his 40th birthday on Monday and is set to make history against his former team.

He continues to do his best to evade Father Time, averaging 23.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists while shooting 49.6% from the field. That’s all in Year 22.

He is listed as questionable with an illness.

The Lakers’ superstar delivered a strong performance on New Year’s Eve last year, tallying 34 points, eight assists and five rebounds against the Pelicans.

Power forward Anthony Davis has upped the ante with a menacing presence down low. Davis is averaging 26.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 52.7% from the field. He is probable with a left ankle sprain.

While the stars are shining, the Lakers have received steady contribution from their role players.

Austin Reaves continues to impress. The shooting guard is tallying 17.7 points, 5.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 44.3% from the field.

Power forward Rui Hachimura is averaging 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 48.4% from the field.

Max Christie has been a pleasant surprise for the purple and gold at the guard position, tallying 7.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 43.8%. Since his insertion into the starting lineup, Los Angeles’ defense has shown improvement.

The Lakers recently acquired role players Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. Finney-Smith will reinforce Los Angeles’ perimeter defense. The Lakers shipped away D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks.

Watch Lakers vs. Cavs for free on DirecTV Stream

Arriving in Los Angeles with a seven-game winning streak, the Cavs (28-4) are starting to push even further into the expectation stratosphere.

All of their victories during their seven-game winning streak have come by double-digits. It marks the third time the franchise has put together such a streak by that margin. Pure dominance.

Their only losses are twice against the Atlanta Hawks, once against the defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics and once against the Miami Heat.

Cleveland holds a 1.5-game lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder for the best record in the NBA. They are five games ahead of the Celtics and have boosted an 11-game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks in the Central Division.

The Cavs continued their winning ways last night with a 113-95 victory over the Golden State Warriors, sweeping the season series from the arch nemesis.

Cleveland walloped the Warriors in their previous meeting on Nov. 8, torching the Dubs for 83 points in the first half enroute to a landslide. They posted a franchise record 41-point halftime lead.

The Cavs buried the Lakers, 134-110, in their first meeting at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse back on Oct. 30. They will look to add another season sweep to their west mantle.

First-year head coach Kenny Atkinson has ignited the Cavs’ lukewarm offense from previous years. They remain atop the league in field goal percentage (50.4%), 3-point percentage (40.8%) and offensive rating (122.4). The Cavs are also second in points per game (122.4) and net rating with a plus-11.4.

Franchise centerpiece Donovan Mitchell is averaging 23.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists while shooting 45.8% from the field, including 41.3% from beyond the arc.

Point guard Darius Garland continues his resurgence with 20.7 points, 6.5 assists and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 49.9% from the field, including 43.4% from beyond the arc.

Cleveland’s frontcourt is a lethal 1-2 punch. Fourth-year power forward Evan Mobley is averaging 18.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 57% from the field, which is the 10th-highest percentage in the league. Mobley is also hitting 42.7% from beyond the arc.

Center Jarrett Allen is averaging a double-double with 13.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 68.7% from the field, which is the second-highest percentage in the league.

Mobley and Allen combined for 45 points and 22 rebounds in the first meeting against the Lakers.

Surprisingly, Cleveland is averaging 43.7 rebounds per game, which is just 18th in the league. On the other hand, the ball is moving majestically as they are dishing out 28.8 assists, which is sixth in the NBA.

Cleveland’s bench is a potent reminder of the layers to this juggernaut. Leading the second unit is sixth man Caris LeVert. He is averaging 11.9 points, 3.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds while averaging 51.2% from the field.

Backup shooting guard Ty Jerome has also continued his to shine, tallying 10.3 points, 3.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds while shooting 50% from the field, including 41.7% from deep.

After suffering through some lapses earlier this season, Cleveland’s defense has cranked up the intensity. They are allowing 110.5 points per game, which is 10th in the league.

The Cavs are 11-3 on the road this season.

Watch Lakers vs. Cavs for free on FuboTV

Lakers vs. Cavs Injury Report

Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James (illness) and Gabe Vincent (left oblique strain) are questionable.

Anthony Davis (left ankle sprain) is probable.

Jarred Vanderbilt (right foot surgery recovery), Jalen Hood-Schifino (left hamstring strain) and Christian Wood (left knee surgery recovery) are all out.

Cleveland Cavaliers: N/A

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