Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts with guard Kyrie Irving (2) against the Los Angeles Lakers during second half at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, USA on March 19, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

Turns out the Big Three needed every bit of that conserved energy one day later to hold off the last-place Los Angeles Lakers.

Kyrie Irving scored 46 points and LeBron James added 34 as the Cavaliers had to rally from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to edge the Lakers, 125-120 on Sunday night.

Kevin Love had 21 points and 15 rebounds as the Cavaliers survived a surprising challenge from a 20-win opponent to clinch a playoff spot. With a 43-point fourth quarter, Cleveland made sure the Lakers didn't put an unsightly dent on its hopes of securing the top overall seed in the East.

"We were out of sync a little bit, but they shot the ball extremely well," James said. "We just had to figure out a way to weather the storm. ... (The Lakers) played well. They don't look like a team that's won only 20 games."James, Love and Irving all sat out the defending champs' blowout loss to the Clippers earlier in the weekend, angering fans and the national television audience. James, the budding entertainment mogul with a game show on NBC, joked with Denzel Washington and other celebrities while he played, but still made sure the Cavs got their work done.