Dwight Howard returns with 22 points, and Lakers snap 6-game skid with 113-93 win over Cavs

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, right, chats with center Dwight Howard during the first half of the Lakers' NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (The Associated Press)

375f73e4-APTOPIX Cavaliers Lakers Basketball

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Alonzo Gee, left, drives toward the basket as Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (The Associated Press)

LOS ANGELES – Dwight Howard had 22 points and 14 rebounds in his return from a three-game injury absence, and the Los Angeles Lakers snapped their six-game losing streak with a 113-93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night.

Kobe Bryant scored 23 points for the Lakers, who finally earned their first victory of 2013 while ending their longest skid since February 2007. Howard went 9 for 11 despite his injured shoulder while leading Los Angeles to a comfortable victory over the lowly Cavaliers, who beat the Lakers last month.

Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters scored 15 points apiece for Cleveland, which has lost seven of nine. Alonzo Gee added 14 points for the Cavaliers, who fell behind by 19 points in the first quarter of their second stop on a five-game West Coast road trip.