The Los Angeles Lakers lose an incredible thriller in overtime to the San Antonio Spurs. LeBron James leads his team back into the party from an 18-point gap – but makes two big mistakes in extra time.
What a start for Spurs! The guests started like the fire brigade, 8 of the first 9 throws landed in the basket. At the end of the first quarter, San Antonio had an outstanding casting rate of 72.7 percent (16/22 FG) – and a 40:26 lead. So while the Spurs could not be stopped, LeBron James stumbled on the other side.
The King started from the field with 0 out of 3 and had almost the complete 48 minutes problems with his throw (2/8 threes). Combined with an 18-point deficit, these are not the best conditions for the Lakers to succeed. But Los Angeles put enormous pressure, especially in transition.
This, in turn, is not the greatest strength of Spurs. As San Antonio cooled down a bit as the game progressed, L.A. had more opportunities to make the game fast – and the hosts fought their way back bit by bit. In the end the Lakers had a strong 41 fast break points – San Antonio came straight to 7 points in the transition.
When a Lakers fan finally sunk a halfcourt shot in a quarter break – and earned 30,000 dollars for it – everything seemed possible again that evening. The Lakers used their momentum to take the lead about ten minutes from time for the first time since the opening minutes.
Afterwards it remained a balanced and exciting duel until the final siren. With just over a minute to go, San Antonio had an 8-point advantage thanks to the powerful LaMarcus Aldridge (37 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists), but Kyle Kuzma’s trio set 125-128 from Lakers’ point of view – and then came LeBron!
In the face of the Gameclock, James actually sunk a pull-up threesome for compensation, but there were still 2.4 seconds left. The possible game winner of DeMar DeRozan, who missed his last 5 field goals in regular time, only landed at the ring, it went into overtime.
This time it was the Lakers who got the better start. Lonzo Ball sunk his third trio of the game (14 points in total, 6 rebounds, 4 assists), rookie Johnathan Williams, two-way player in the G-League, contributed four quick points. The Lakers were in front with 6 points.
But of course the Spurs didn’t want to put on the spurs yet: Aldridge, DeRozan (32 and 14 rebounds) and Rudy Gay (16, 7/8 FG) shortened about 13 seconds before the end to 141:142 and LeBron showed nerves. James was deliberately fouled, but gave both free throws. After a strong inbounds play of the Spurs Patty Mills came to a free midrange jumper – nothing but net!
In the last attack James of course got the ball, which sent a stepback trio on the journey. However, this only landed at the ring, the Spurs thus left the parquet after an incomprehensible thriller as winners.
James scored a total of 32 points, 14 assists and 8 rebounds, but the two free throws will follow him for a while. Kuzma meanwhile became the best scorer of the Lakers with 37 points (15/25 FG) and 8 rebounds. Josh Hart (20 and 10) and JaVale McGee (16 and 8) also performed well. However, the Lakers still have to wait for the first win of the season, while Moritz Wagner and Isaac Bonga (both not in the squad) were not in action again.