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LeBron James scores 46 points as Los Angeles Lakers hold off Cleveland Cavaliers 115-108

James scored 21 points in the final quarter. Andre Drummond led the Cavs with 25 points and 17 rebounds.

CLEVELAND — Editor's Note: The above video aired on January 19, 2021

LeBron James dazzled in his first game back in Cleveland in two years as his Los Angeles Lakers topped the Cavaliers, 115-108, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Monday evening. 

Back in the arena where he made so many memories as a member of the Cavs, the 36-year-old James finished with 46 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. He scored 21 points in the final quarter to help the defending NBA champions hold off a feisty Cavs squad. 

Andre Drummond led the Cavaliers with 25 points and pulled down 17 rebounds. Cedi Osman added 20 points, while Collin Sexton scored 17.

James got off to a hot start, scoring 17 points in the opening quarter to help Los Angeles jump out to a 34-23 lead. The Cavs closed the deficit to 65-58 at halftime, thanks to a buzzer-beating shot by Osman. 

Osman continued his hot shooting in the third quarter, hitting three 3-point baskets to help Cleveland outscore the Lakers 31-23 in the period as the Cavs began the final quarter with an 89-87 edge. 

Then, James erupted. 

Prior to the game, LeBron James had a brief reunion with Cedi Osman, the only player on the Cavs' current roster who played with the four-time MVP in Cleveland. (Both Kevin Love and Matthew Dellavedova are out of action with injuries.)

The win for Los Angeles came on the eve of the one-year anniversary of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant's tragic death in a helicopter crash. The Cavs played a tribute video prior to the start of Monday's game.

The Associated Press contributed to this story

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