Lakers streak hits nine with Cavs win, Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder

LeBron James scored 23 of his 31 points in the second half as the Los Angeles Lakers broke open a close game to register a ninth straight NBA victory, 128-99 over the Cleveland Cavaliers. With Lakers star Anthony Davis still sidelined by a sore backside from a fall, Dwight Howard added season highs of 21 points and 15 rebounds for the Western Conference leaders. James added eight assists and passed Isiah Thomas for eighth place on the league's all-time list.