BAKERSFIELD, Calif., 21 October 2003 — Shaquille O’Neal made a surprise return to the lineup and was his usual erratic self at the free throw line as the Los Angeles Lakers lost 102-87 to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night.

After missing three games because of a bruised left heel, O’Neal told coach Phil Jackson he was ready to play just a few minutes before tipoff. O’Neal went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the first quarter, then missed eight of 12 attempts in the third quarter. Ricky Davis led Cleveland with 27 points on 11-for-16 shooting, including a spectacular follow dunk off a missed free throw at the third quarter buzzer.

LeBron James grabbed 10 rebounds but again had trouble with his outside shot — though not to the degree that he struggled in Cleveland’s first five games. The 18-year-old rookie had 14 points, three assists, five turnovers and five fouls before leaving with 7:22 remaining and the Cavaliers ahead by 18.

Kevin Ollie added 15 points, making his first six shots.

Davis improved his scoring average by 8.9 points last season, the largest improvement by any player in the NBA. But his shot selection was often terrible on a team with few other offensive options.

That was not a problem in this game as Davis shot 8-for-9 in the first half to help Cleveland take a 57-33 lead. O’Neal scored 14 of his 20 points in the third quarter, but the Lakers did not gain any ground and never threatened in the fourth.

Pistons Spoil Carmelo’s Homecoming

In Syracuse, N.Y., Mehmet Okur hit a driving layup with 2.3 seconds left, giving the Detroit Pistons a 93-91 exhibition victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night and putting a damper on Carmelo Anthony’s return to the Carrier Dome.

Okur took an inbounds pass and drove to the basket, avoiding two block attempts under the basket, one by Anthony, and laying the ball in off the glass.

After a timeout, Anthony inbounded the ball to Rodney White, but he was unable to get a shot off before the buzzer. Despite the loss, it was a memorable night for Anthony, who was playing his first game on Jim Boeheim Court since he led the Syracuse Orangemen to the NCAA national championship in April. With Boeheim watching from a courtside seat, Anthony scored a game-high 23 points, shooting 7-for-13 from the floor and 9-for-13 from the line in 34 minutes. Chucky Atkins led the Pistons with 19 points, Tayshaun Prince had 15, Chauncey Billups had 14, Okur had 12, and Zeljko Rebraca 11.