LeBron James' best performances against his former teams

After a two-game road trip, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers return home on an eight-game win streak.

Their next opponent? The Cleveland Cavaliers, the franchise with which LeBron James spent 11 seasons, won two league MVPs and a title in 2016.

Does that add anything extra? It might. Last season, LeBron recorded the impressive stat line of 32 points (on 12-for-20 shooting), 14 rebounds and seven assists in his lone meeting with the Cavaliers.

With LeBron now in the fourth stage of his career, it leads us to look back at some of his best performances against his former teams, beginning with last year’s game in Cleveland.

Nov. 21, 2018 at Cleveland 

Lakers 109, Cavaliers 105

LeBron's line: 32 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists

LeBron's first return to Cleveland as a Laker was much much different than his return as a member of the Heat.

After leading the Cavs to four straight Finals appearances and their first-ever NBA title, James' decision to move on was much less polarizing, as the Quicken Loans Arena crowd welcomed him with open arms and showed plenty of appreciation.

As the Lakers held off a pesky Cavaliers squad, James put forth a performance worth appreciating as he finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists.

All in a day's work.

Nov. 18, 2018 at Miami 

LeBron's line: 51 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals

It's not every day you see a 33-year-old go for 50. But LeBron James isn't your average 33-year-old.

In what is still his best scoring performance in the purple and gold, James was lights out, shooting 19-for-31 from the field and 6-for-8 from beyond the arc. The six triples were a season high, and his last 3-pointer of the night put him over the 50-point threshold.

Dec. 10, 2018 vs. Miami 

Lakers 108, Heat 105

LeBron's line: 28 points, 12 assists, 9 rebounds

This one was all about LeBron and D-Wade.

Members of the same draft class. Running mates in Miami for four years. Running mates in Cleveland for a few months. Brothers beyond basketball forever.

In the final NBA meeting between the two, LeBron gave his buddy all he had, as he again flirted with a triple-double by posting a stat line of 28 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds to lead LA to a narrow win over Miami.

It was a game that held much more weight than just a meeting against a former franchise.

Mar. 18, 2014 at Cleveland 

Heat 100, Cavaliers 96

LeBron's line: 43 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals

Red. Hot.

In his final game vs. Cleveland as a member of the Miami Heat, LeBron made his presence felt early and often. 

James came out of the gate firing on all cylinders, scoring 25 points (on 9-for-10 shooting) in the opening quarter. He would go on to finish with an efficient 43 points (on 14-for-19 shooting), six rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals as Miami eked out a four-point win over Cleveland.

Less than four months later, James would re-join the Cavaliers via free agency.

Dec. 2, 2010 at Cleveland

Heat 118, Cavaliers 90

LeBron's line: 38 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal

A return we will never forget.

Five months after his decision to join the Miami Heat via free agency in the offseason of 2010, James made his return to Cleveland, where one of the most hostile environments in the history of sport awaited.

LeBron coolly performed under pressure, knocking down a few high-degree-of-difficulty shots en route to a 38-point performance that powered the Heat's blowout win.

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