L.A. Lakers 101, Cleveland 91: Lakers Win Sixth Straight Road Game

Well, this sure isn't a bad way to redeem yourselves for not bringing your "A" game against the Charlotte Bobcats at home, Phil Jackson.

In a prelude, a new maxim was born: "If you can't beat 'em, take from 'em the players that beat you." Vladamir Radmanovic (who was unsatisfied with his playing time) was traded to the Bobcats for Adam Morrison and Shannon Brown, who scored 14 points in Charlotte's victory Jan. 27.

Los Angeles brushed off the letdown like a small speck of dust, reeling off six straight victories on the road. Offensive showcases by Kobe Bryant against Minnesota (30 points), Memphis (25), New York (61, a Madison Square Garden record), and Toronto (36) culminated in impressive victories over the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Bryant scored 26 points in a 110-109 overtime win at the TD Banknorth Garden, but the victory at the Quicken Loans Arena was all the more impressive for two reasons.

First, Bryant was not at his best, suffering from the flu bug like many at this point in the NBA season. After receiving IV fluids, he had the shivers and a blanket covering him.

It triggered the supporting cast, led by Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, to step it up and deliver in the clutch.

Odom delivered with 28 points and 17 rebounds, while Gasol led in assists with six. Gasol also scored 18 in the victory and added 12 rebounds as well.

Second, the victory by the Lakers ended an unbeaten run at home for LeBron James and the Cavaliers. A dry spell in the third quarter, combined with clutch shots by Odom, Gasol and Derek Fisher, allowed Los Angeles to rally from 10 points down at halftime to take control by the third-quarter break.

Cleveland never got back into rhythm, and James was held to only 16 points. Zydrunas Ilgauskas led the Cavs with 22 points, while Mo Williams added 19. In a supporting role, Wally Szczerbiak scored 16 points while being 4-for-5 from the perimeter, but it would not be enough.

Starters Ben Wallace and Aleksandar Pavlovic were also shut down in this game, scoring only two and five points against the Lakers.

In addition to this victory, this perfect road stretch by Jackson's Lakers is significant because they won the season series against the Raptors, Celtics and Cavaliers.

The Lakers will look to keep the wins coming when they head back home to Staples Center to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.

If we learned something from this streak by the Lakers, it's that a letdown at home can be the wake-up call they need to regain their dominance in the National Basketball Association.

Rise and shine. It might as well be just another perfect day for L.A.