Lakers 113, Cavaliers 93: Dwight Howard had 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting and grabbed 14 rebounds in his return from a three-game absence due to a shoulder injury as host Los Angeles broke a six-game losing skid.

Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 23 points and Antawn Jamison added 16 for the Lakers, who shot a season-high 58 percent from the field and connected on 13-of-25 from 3-point range.

Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters scored 15 points apiece and Alonzo Gee tallied 14 for the Cavaliers, who were a woeful 4-of-21 from behind the arc.

Los Angeles started fast and led by as many as 19 points in the opening quarter. Cleveland cut its deficit to nine late in the half and trailed 57-45 at the break.

The Lakers opened the second half with a 12-4 surge to take a 69-49 lead on a three-point play by Metta World Peace with 8:26 left in the third quarter. Los Angeles had a 17-point lead entering the fourth quarter and led by as many as 30 in the final stanza while cruising to its first victory since Dec. 28.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The victory allowed Los Angeles to avoid its first seven-game skid since the 2006-07 campaign. … Cleveland is just 5-18 on the road. … Lakers F Pau Gasol (concussion) missed his fourth consecutive contest.