LeBron makes triple double in a triumphant homecoming

LeBron James made a triumphant return home with 38 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists on Monday to lead the Los Angeles Lakers over the Cleveland Cavaliers 131-120.

Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player James sparked the Lakers team he led to the 2020 NBA crown over the Cavs hometown club he made into a 2016 NBA champion, spectators cheering and chanting the 37-year-old star's name as he walked out of the arena.

James, who played 41 minutes, played down any notion the victory was more meaningful because it came against his former team and hometown squad.

"Just wanted to get a win," James said. "That's all that mattered to me."

James was happy the Lakers ended a slump that saw them lose four of their prior five games.

"To be able to play how we played, I was able to contribute a little bit and we get a Dub (win), finished the trip off, that's all that mattered to me.

"We needed that one."

Russell Westbrook added 20 points and 11 assists and D.J. Augustin came off the bench to score 20 points for the Lakers, who improved to 31-41, ninth in the Western Conference.

Darius Garland had 29 points and 17 assists to lead the Cavs, 41-31 and sixth in the Eastern Conference by a game over Toronto.

- Depleted Sixers win - The Philadelphia 76ers, playing without resting superstars Joel Embiid and James Harden, got 28 points from Tyrese Maxey and 20 off the bench from Shake Milton to power the Sixers over visiting Eastern Conference leader Miami 113-106.

Philadelphia rose to 44-27, level with defending NBA champion Milwaukee at second in the East, 2 1/2 games behind the Heat, who had 27 points from Jimmy Butler in a losing cause.

The 76ers, playing their third game in four nights, benched Cameroonian big man Embiid due to a sore back and Harden