LOS ANGELES: LeBron James and Kobe Bryant said their hellos and goodbyes for the final time, and in between they matched each other shot for shot. It was Channing Frye no one saw coming.
Frye scored a season-high 21 points and matched his season high with five 3-pointers in the Cavaliers’ 120-108 victory Thursday on a night two of the greatest to ever play this game met for the final time.
An invigorated Bryant scored 26 points on 11 of 16 shooting and departed with two minutes left to familiar chants of “Ko-bee, Ko-bee.” He hit a trademark turnaround jumper over an outstretched James, caught James in the air for an up-and-under and dazzled a Staples Center crowd like his body rarely allows him to do in his final NBA season.
James, meanwhile, had 24 points, five rebounds and seven assists while exploding with two powerful dunks. James wasn’t confirmed to play in this game until late Wednesday night and Bryant, who has been battling a shoulder injury, wasn’t assured of playing until he arrived at the arena and dressed. The two future Hall of Famers didn’t disappoint.
Neither did Frye, who was a surprise starter in place of Kevin Love, who was scratched because of swelling in his left knee. Love was hit on the knee during Wednesday’s win against the Kings, but was able to finish the game. After flying and sleeping on it, the knee stiffened and swelled. The Cavs didn’t feel the need to run any tests on it, however, and they don’t play again until Sunday at Staples Center.
Coach Tyronn Lue elected to stay big and start Frye rather than go small, which would’ve left James to guard Julius Randle much of the night. Instead James and Bryant guarded each other much of the night, with Bryant catching a rhythm late in the first half as the crowd roared.
Kyrie Irving scored 26 points and J.R. Smith added 17. Rookie D’Angelo Russell scored 24 points for the Lakers and Larry Nance Jr., who did not play in the meeting last month in Cleveland because he was injured, scored one point in 17 minutes.
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Cavs blog at www.ohio.com/cavs. Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/JasonLloydABJ.