The Lakers blew a big lead. LeBron James blew a game-winning layup. But he wouldn't do it a second time.
LeBron James with the CLUTCH game-winning finish pic.twitter.com/0UN7E2bYTY
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 5, 2023
James went through three different Utah defenders for a spinning, go-ahead layup to give the Lakers a crucial 135-133 win over the Jazz. That took him to 37 points, as the Lakers won their fourth straight game.
The victory looked totally secure when the Lakers had a 10-point lead with less than two minutes left. But then a nightmarish sequence led to the lead entirely slipping away, punctuated by a missed layup by James at the end of regulation.
The Lakers were up 124-114 with 1:43 left in the 4th. Since then:
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 5, 2023
Ochai Agbaji 3
LeBron James offensive foul
Kris Dunn layup
Anthony Davis missed jumper
Kelly Olynyk 3
Davis missed inside shot
Damian Jones two free throws
James missed layup
**Overtime** pic.twitter.com/jlQN58w7PO
James took it upon himself to make up for the missed layup. In the extra period, he hit a three, made a dunk, hit two free throws, and blocked former teammate Talen Horton-Tucker. Then, he finished off the win, setting up a huge game Wednesday night against their crosstown rivals.
As improbable as it sounds, the Lakers and Clippers are now tied with 41-38 records. It's technically a home game for the Clippers, even though it's still the Lakers' own Crypto.com Arena. The winner effectively grabs the five seed in the Western Conference, since both teams have the tiebreaker over the 42-38 Warriors.
How is James going to prepare for a back-to-back, after playing 38 minutes Tuesday night? He’s considering some unconventional treatment.
LeBron tells @MikeTrudell that he is thinking about putting his feet in an ice bucket because he hasn't played 38 minutes in weeks when asked about status for tomorrow against Clippers.
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) April 5, 2023
He may not have an ice bucket on his feet, but James proved he has ice water in his veins.
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