James 59th TD lifts Cavs over Lakers

CLEVELAND – Lonzo Ball got an up-close look at the biggest baller of them all.

LeBron James recorded his 59th career triple-double in front of Ball and his brothers. Kevin Love scored 28 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers won for the 16th time in 17 games, 121-112 over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

James finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists to move into a tie with Larry Bird for sixth place on the career tripledoubles list. James also put the Lakers away in the final minutes with a dunk and short runner, leading Cleveland to its 10th straight home win.

For Ball, his first on-court encounter with James was eye-opening.

“Watching him doesn’t do him justice,” Ball said. “He has that size, that speed. I’d say he’s the best player in the world right now.”

James, who has been complimentary of the 20-year-old Ball in the past, met with the Lakers highly touted rookie on the floor following the game. As cameras recorded the moment, James and Ball, whose all-around games and backgrounds are very similar, covered their mouths so the world couldn’t listen in on their conversation.

In other results, Detroit waylaid Atlanta, 105-91; New York downed Brooklyn, 111-104; Minnesota routed Sacramento, 119-96; and the Golden State Warriors clobbered the Dallas Mavericks, 112-97.

Back in Cleveland, James said he was humbled to learn the former UCLA star patterned his game after him. James has become a fan of Ball’s game.