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LeBron James receives multiple standing ovations as Cleveland Cavaliers host Los Angeles Lakers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are hosting LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers for the first and only time this season on Wednesday night.
Credit: © David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

CLEVELAND -- If anyone was worried that the scene at Quicken Loans Arena on Wednesday night would resemble the one when LeBron James made his first return to Cleveland eight years ago, those concerns were quickly put to rest.

Upon taking the court for pregame warmups against both his former and hometown team, LeBron James received a hearty standing ovation from the sold-out crowd in attendance.

The love fest didn't stop there.

Minutes later, James was once again unanimously cheered as he was introduced as the final member of the Lakers' starting lineup. "Welcome home, No. 23, LeBron James," the public address announcer bellowed as fans once again came to their feet to cheer the Akron native.

Although James largely ignored the first two receptions from Cavaliers fans, the same couldn't be said of the third. As promised, the Cavs played a tribute video on the humongotron at Quicken Loans honoring James following the game's first timeout, to which the 4-time MVP raised his arms in acknowledgment before bowing to the crowd.

Wednesday night's reaction from Cavs fans stands in stark contrast to eight years ago when James first returned to Cleveland as a member of the Miami Heat. In what was considered one of the most hostile environments in all of sports, James was booed maliciously as he scored 38 points in a Heat blowout victory.

But after four seasons in Miami, James returned home, carrying the Cavs to four straight NBA Finals, including the franchise's first championship in 2016. Cleveland fans' appreciation for his efforts both on and off the court was apparent on Wednesday night -- not just once, but on multiple occasions.

At halftime, the Cavs lead the Lakers 52-49. For all the latest from Quicken Loans Arena, follow our live blog and join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #3Cavs.

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