LeBron James scored 37 factors and hit a game-winning layup late in time beyond regulation to assist the Los Angeles Lakers edge the Utah Jazz 135-133 on Tuesday evening in Salt Lake City.
Austin Reaves added 28 factors and Anthony Davis totalled 21 factors, 14 rebounds and 6 assists to assist the surging Lakers (41-38) transfer a step nearer to clinching a assured playoff spot. Los Angeles earned its fourth consecutive win.
Despite having three starters sidelined, the Jazz rallied within the ultimate 1:36 of regulation, outscoring the Lakers 10-0 to pressure time beyond regulation.
Former Laker Talen Horton-Tucker and Kelly Olynyk every scored 23 factors and Ochai Agbaji contributed 22 for the Jazz. However, it wasn’t sufficient to maintain Utah (36-43) from dropping for the seventh time in eight outings.
Reaves scored seven factors in simply over a minute late within the fourth, capped by a 3-pointer with 1:43 left that gave the Lakers a 124-114 lead.
The Jazz then went to work.
Agbaji began Utah’s 10-0 run with a 3-pointer. Kris Dunn adopted with a layup, Olynyk hit a 3-pointer and ex-Laker Damian Jones knotted it up by sinking two free throws with 11.4 seconds left.
James missed a last-second drive to ship the sport to time beyond regulation.
Jones completed with 16 factors and eight rebounds for Utah. Collin Sexton returned from his damage absence, after not enjoying since February 15 resulting from a hamstring ailment, and scored 15 factors.
The Jazz took an early lead in OT on an Olynyk layup and free throw. James scored 5 straight to place Los Angeles up by two, however Horton-Tucker shortly tied it.
After Utah went up by three due to an Olynyk trey, a Reaves jumper and a pair of James free throws gave the Lakers a 133-132 lead with 54.1 seconds left.
Horton-Tucker cut up a pair of free throws to tie it once more, setting the stage for James’ late spinning drive.
Horton-Tucker missed a possible game-tying shot, and the Lakers ran out the clock.
After falling behind by 14 within the third quarter, Utah roared again with an 11-0 run. Two minutes later, nevertheless, the Lakers re-established their double-digit lead with a 9-2 spurt.
Utah opened the fourth with six straight factors, together with consecutive buckets by Sexton, to go up 99-97. Los Angeles then took a seven-point lead halfway by the fourth after a Troy Brown Jr. 3-pointer.
