36-year-old James was red hot in the last period where he scored 21 points and among other things put nine out of ten shots from the field.
It was the first time in two years that James was back in Ohio and played a game.
It was a pleasant return.
- It was homemade and fun to be back in my home area, James says to the NBA's website after being offered a piece of food by mother Gloria before the match.
- I feel really comfortable after playing eleven years here (NBA title 2016) and it's always nice to get a win, especially when you play in purple and gold (Lakers colors), says James, when he walks in one of the corridors in the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, which takes just over 18,000 spectators, to the Lakers in a Twitter post.
Due to the pandemic, only 2,000 fans were scattered in the arena.
Gets off on the anniversary of Bryant's crash
Coach Frank Vogel should be used to James being able to offer performances but only laughed afterwards when asked to comment on the effort.
- It was so cool.
When he took the shots, it was just ridiculous.
If I were to play against him, I do not know what I would do to stop him.
He shoots so well, says Vogel.
Today is the anniversary of Lakers icon Kobe Bryant's helicopter crash and Vogel has given the players time off.
- We will not pay attention to it as a birthday.
It will be more of a gloomy day of reflection, says Vogel.