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Bryant, Lakers aim to end road trip with win vs. James, Cavs

Feb 11, 2007 - 2:00 PM LA Lakers (30-21) at Cleveland (29-21) 3:30 pm EST

CLEVELAND (Ticker) - Kobe Bryant would like to finish his East Coast road trip on a positive note. But LeBron James might have something to say about that.

Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers will wrap up their season-long eight-game swing Sunday when they visit James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Los Angeles enters with two straight losses after Friday's 96-92 defeat at Toronto. Bryant, who missed the potential tying 3-pointer, had 25 points and nine rebounds in the setback.

"We've just got to get a win on Sunday, break even and go home," Bryant said. "This is a very long trip for us, we are a young team. What comes with being a young team is learning how to gather up your energy and execute, but that comes with experience."

Fatigue might be settling in on the Lakers, who are shooting just a combined 40 percent from the floor in their last two outings.

On Friday, James had 29 points, seven rebounds and six assists in a 103-79 victory over the Miami Heat which gave Cleveland its first set of consecutive wins since early January.

This matchup will mark the end of the Cavs five-game homestand. Cleveland has won three of the first four games but has lost its last three games here vs. teams with winning records.

The Cavaliers have dropped 11 of the last 14 meeting against the Lakers, but have not lost here since a 111-106 overtime setback on February 4, 2004.