Los Angeles Lakers

The Cleveland Cavaliers finally broke their 12-game losing streaking against the Lakers in Los Angeles on Sunday -- while Khloe Kardashian was in the stands cheering on her man Tristan Thompson.

Coincidence? She thinks not!

Khloe and TT were leaving Craig's after the game -- all smiles in great moods -- where they jokingly took the credit for the big 101-95 win over the LeBron-less Lakers at Staples Center.

In all seriousness, Tristan had a solid game, posting a double-double (15 points, 14 rebounds) -- and he's having a pretty solid year overall.

No sign of their daughter True out last night -- but there was definitely baby on brain for our photog ... who asked the couple if they were planning on having any more adorable kids in the future.

Byron Scott knows what it's like to go through a nasty public divorce ... so here's the ex-NBA coach giving some very valuable advice to Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos!!

The ex-Lakers star was leaving Craig's in WeHo when we broke the news to him that Bezos and his wife, MacKenzie, are calling it quits after 25 years.

Scott can relate -- he called things off with his wife Anita after 29 years of marriage back in 2014. The divorce wasn't exactly the friendliest split ... they went to war over everything from mansions to clothing and even hair care.

Byron's divorce became official in 2015 after a yearlong battle -- so we had to ask if he had any pointers for Bezos.

"Tell him I said, 'good luck' ... AND GET A GOOD LAWYER!!"

Lonzo Ball was a human highlight reel Wednesday night ... and he had his biggest little fan in the front row cheering him on the whole time!!

Zo's baby mama, Denise Garcia, brought 5-month-old Zoey -- decked out in her own little Ball jersey -- to the Lakers vs. Pistons game at Staples Center ... and they picked a great one to go to.

Ball had a handful of incredible plays in his 11-assist game that had everyone -- including Baby Baller -- going crazy. The Lake Show ultimately beat Detroit in a 113-100 butt-kicking.

We broke the story ... Zo and Denise welcomed Zoey into the world back in July.

Unclear if this was Zoey's first time watching her daddy at work ... but it's great to see the fam together after the whole "deadbeat" drama.

Other celebs at the Laker game include Charlize Theron, model Kaia Gerber and Andy Garcia.

But, if Lonzo plays like this every time his daughter's in attendance ... expect to see her a LOT more from now on.

LeBron James says bringing the Cavs back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Warriors makes him the greatest basketball player of all time ... but does his teammate agree??

TMZ Sports spoke with Richard Jefferson -- who was part of that 2016 NBA title team in Cleveland -- about LBJ's bold proclamation ... and R.J. says there's no question that something "great" happened.

"It was the greatest performance I ever saw," R.J. says.

But, having witnessed firsthand what the King was able to do against the 73-9 Dubs in the 7-game thriller ... we asked R.J. if he agreed with LBJ's decision to declare himself the G.O.A.T.

Antonio Gates disagrees with LeBron James saying NFL owners have a "slave mentality" ... 'cause the TE says players know what they sign up for and make a great living doing it.

Of course, LeBron went off on the NFL on his HBO show, "The Shop," last week, saying, "In the NFL they got a bunch of old white men owning teams and they got that slave mentality ..."

"And, it's a little like, 'This is my team. You do what the f*** I tell y'all to do. Or, we get rid of y'all.'"

When we got Gates out in Bev Hills ... he told us he ain't buying what LBJ's selling -- saying NFL players know what they're getting into when they ink their contracts.

"I don't know all the owners -- I know my owner. And, my relationship with my owner has been phenomenal. And, it's sports. You know what I mean? You get paid to play."

Gates added, "We all know what we sign up for."

As for the differences between the NBA and the NFL ... Antonio says he does hope one day his league can guarantee contracts like LeBron's -- but he still doesn't see NFL owners having a "slave mentality" at all.

Worry not Laker fans ... Halsey thinks Kyle Kuzma will hold the fort down while LeBron is out ... and we gotta admit, the singer really seems to know her basketball.

The whole sports world held their collective breath when LeBron injured himself on Christmas day and, now that we know he's gonna be out a while, the question is how will the Lakers respond?

We got Halsey at LAX and she has all the faith in the world in the young guys, saying they played the second half beautifully without LBJ, and she expects more of the same, especially from one guy.

"I think they did fine in the second half. I think Kuzma's a star."

Kyle Kuzma is BALLING this season ... averaging 18 points a game and providing the second guy LeBron has needed for the turnaround season.

Halsey seems to think he can now be the MAIN guy, and with LeBron sidelined for at least a couple games, he's gonna get his chance.

Magic Johnson doesn't seem too concerned that his franchise player is sidelined with a groin injury -- telling TMZ Sports it's all gonna be okay!

Of course, LeBron James scared the entire NBA when he left the Lakers' Christmas Day game against the Golden State Warriors after coming up limpy after an awkward fall.

Bron later announced the injury was just a groin strain -- nothing more serious -- but still, people are wondering if this is the beginning of the end for a soon-to-be 34-year-old who's never had any serious injuries.

"We don't worry about what people say," Johnson told us on the way out of Craig's in Los Angeles ... "We're having a great season, you can't worry about what people say."

"I'm happy and we'll be okay."

We asked if the injury scare increased Magic's sense of urgency in getting another superstar to the Lakers -- to which he replied, "Nope. Nope. Nope."

So, what's the message to the rest of the Lakers who will have to soldier on without LeBron?

"Play hard, play together, play Laker basketball."

As for LeBron's return date, Magic wasn't specific -- saying James is "taking a little time."

We also asked Magic how he felt about LeBron's controversy regarding his "Jewish Money" comments earlier this week ... and the NBA legend seemed satisfied with how James has handled it.

"He apologized so that's a good thing," Magic said.

"He's a great man and he apologized and everybody moves on, right?"

LeBron James not getting fined for his "Jewish Money" post was the right call ... so says NBA agent Daniel Hazan who is also Jewish.

We got the super agent out Monday night in NYC and had to ask him about LeBron's XMAS Eve Instagram post that sparked backlash. ICYMI ... LeBron posted a pic on IG with the caption "getting that Jewish money" which he THOUGHT was a compliment to Jews. It's not, so LeBron apologized.

Hazan -- the CEO and founder of Hazan Sports Management -- dropped a little knowledge on us about the term and why it's seeded with anti-Semitism. Hazan also explains what he thinks LeBron was trying to convey with the message. Bottom line ... LeBron shot and missed with his post but Hazan does give LeBron credit for one thing.

12/25 -- 21 Savage has also apologized ... saying, "the Jewish people I know are very wise with [their] money so that's why I said we been gettin Jewish money. I never thought anyone would take offense. I'm sorry if I offended everybody. Never my intention. I love all people."

LeBron James busted out a big "Sleecha" to Jewish people on Sunday -- after posting a photo on Instagram with the caption, "Getting that Jewish money."

Long story short, LeBron says he thought it was a "compliment" to Jews.

James was actually quoting a lyric from the 21 Savage rap song "ASMR" -- but there was a backlash online from people who felt someone as famous and powerful as LeBron shouldn't be pushing old Anti-Semitic stereotypes.

"Apologies, for sure, if I offended anyone," James told ESPN ... "That's not why I chose to share that lyric. I always [post lyrics]. That's what I do. I ride in my car, I listen to great music, and that was the byproduct of it."

"So, I actually thought it was a compliment, and obviously it wasn't through the lens of a lot of people. My apologies. It definitely was not the intent, obviously, to hurt anybody."

Despite LeBron's intent, there have been hundreds of books and articles written over the years about why the "Jews and Money" stereotype is a dangerous one.

Quite simply, it's been used a rallying cry to fuel anti-Semitism for hundreds of years.

LaVar Ball says he doesn't want to see Anthony Davis ballin' with Lonzo on the Lakers ... 'cause the BBB honcho tells TMZ Sports, the team's "got enough people."

"They got enough," Ball says.

Of course ... LeBron James might beg to differ -- dude told media members just a couple days ago it would "be amazing" to see the Pelicans superstar in purple and gold.

In fact ... reports say James and Davis had dinner after the two played against each other at Staples Center this past weekend.

But, the Big Baller says Lonzo, Bron and the Lake Show don't need the big center ... tellin' us straight-up he wouldn't even find it cool to see!!!

LeBron James railed on the NFL, saying the owners are a bunch of white guys who treat their players with extreme disrespect.

LeBron made the comments on his HBO show, "The Shop," contrasting the football league with the NBA. James said, "In the NFL they got a bunch of old white men owning teams and they got that slave mentality ... and it's a little like, 'This is my team. You do what the f*** I tell y'all to do. Or we get rid of y'all.'"

The Lakers star is clearly referring in part to Colin Kaepernick allegedly getting blackballed by NFL owners who were outraged by the kneeling movement the QB triggered.

James Worthy says L.A. should sign Carmelo Anthony ... 'cause the Lakers legend tells TMZ Sports Melo is exactly what LeBron James NEEDS!!!

Rumors have been swirling this week that the move could go down ... 'cause John Salley hinted to us something was in the works -- and then LBJ was spotted with Anthony at dinner just a day later.

Worthy tells us he supports making the move happen ... saying Anthony would bring something to the Lakers that they currently lack.

"I think Carmelo has proven that he's an outstanding shooter," Worthy says ... "Kind of what we need!"

But ... for as much as Worthy respects Melo's game -- he ain't so sure Anthony is the missing piece for LBJ to win a ring THIS season.

LeBron James ain't the GM of the Lakers ... but it sure seems like he sent a message to the guy who is Tuesday night, saying, "I've always wanted to play along Melo."

Of course ... rumors of Carmelo Anthony teaming up with LBJ in Los Angeles have been smoldering ever since John Salley told TMZ Sports it could happen.

Those rumors weren't quieted when Bron and Melo were spotted on a double date with their wives at an NYC steakhouse Monday night.

And, on Tuesday, Bron seemed to send a clear message to Magic Johnson after L.A.'s loss to the Nets that if he can make the Carmelo move happen, LBJ would be a happy man.

"I don't run the team. And, obviously there's some things that would need to be worked on both sides," LeBron told reporters in the postgame locker room.

"But, I've always wanted to play along Melo and if the opportunity presents itself, it'd be great. So, we'll see what happens."

LeBron James and his wife had an interesting couples dinner date Monday -- hitting up an NYC steakhouse with Carmelo Anthony and La La ... and fueling rumors Melo's coming to the Lakers.

Remember, we spoke with John Salley a few days ago and he implied he had some inside information about Melo coming to the Lakers before the NBA All-Star break in February.

So, when we saw these pics of Melo and Bron leaving Quality Italian steakhouse in midtown ... made us think Salley's intel might be pretty solid!!

Of course, LeBron and Melo have been friends for years -- so, maybe they just wanted some quality meat and wine ... but hey, maybe there was some shop talk too!

The Lakers are in NYC to play the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.

The other interesting thing about the dinner ... Melo and La La seem to be in a pretty good place.

Back in October, La La told People she and Melo were still figuring out their relationship after separating in 2017 ... but noted, "We're good."

Did we just get Salley-Bombed?!

The 4-time NBA champ seems to know something about Carmelo Anthony's basketball future -- suggesting he'll sign with the Lakers before the NBA All-Star break.

... and then he winked at us like a guy who knows things.

Our photog smartly pushed John Salley to see what he knows -- but that's when John started to play coy ... and said Carmelo plus LeBron is the formula for Anthony to win his first NBA championship.

So, how would Salley know?

He's tight with Magic Johnson and he's still plugged in with a ton of important NBA people.

Then again, he might have just had something in his eye ...

34-year-old Anthony signed a 1-year $2.4 million contract with the Houston Rockets back in August -- but it wasn't a good fit and, in November, the team announced they were parting ways with Melo.

He's still technically on the roster -- but it's clear his days in Houston are done.

Melo and LeBron played together on the 2008 and 2012 Olympic team -- they won gold both times. The two are good friends off the court.

In fact, Melo was there during the infamous banana boat ride back in 2015 -- but Anthony never actually got on the raft.

James Harden was channeling his inner Migos before takin' on LeBron and the Lakers ... showing up to the game Thursday in a full Versace snakeskin short suit -- and then he BALLED OUT!!

With the majority of his thighs out on display, Harden swagged his way into the Toyota Center in Houston and then dropped a 50 BURGER on the Lake Show.

The Rockets eventually won the game 126 to 111.

So, how much does drip like this cost? Versace tells us the faux python outfit isn't even available to the public until the start of 2019 -- the top will set ya back $7,595 ... and the pants are $3,495!!!

Harden's also in the middle of a $228 MILLION contract extension, so money is no object when it comes to fashion.

Seems the fit could be a tribute to Bron's trend-setting look from the NBA Finals last season ... when the King rocked a short suit before Game 1.

We gotta say, Harden's got the upper hand on LBJ with this one.