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 Julius Randle scored the game-winning basket with 1.9 seconds
remaining in overtime, lifting the Lakers to a 102-100 victory over
the Heat on Wednesday night at Staples Center.
"Honestly, I thought we had a whole lot of motivation to just pull
one out," said Lakers rookie point guard D'Angelo Russell, who
scored 16 points despite being booed several times during the
contest.
Russell was at the center of a controversy regarding a video he
recorded showing teammate Nick Young in an unfavorable light.
Randle spun in the lane and scored over Miami's Luol Deng and Dwyane
Wade to help the Lakers snap a seven-game losing to the Heat.
Jordan Clarkson scored 26 points for the Lakers (16-59). Randle
finished with 13 points and 14 rebounds, and Roy Hibbert added 12
points and nine rebounds for Los Angeles, which ended a four-game
skid.
Wade had 26 points and 10 rebounds, Deng contributed 22 points and
11 rebounds, and Hassan Whiteside collected 18 points, 17 rebounds
and seven blocks for Miami. The Heat (43-31) fell into a three-way
tie with the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets for the No. 4 spot
in the Eastern Conference playoff chase.
"You typically get what you deserve in the league, and we did not
deserve this game," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "There were some
things we did well, but if you saw any kind of effort, or focus
play, they were beating us in those departments and we paid the
price for it."
Before the game, Russell and Young addressed the media regarding a
video Russell filmed of Young months ago. In the video, Young, who
is engaged to rapper Iggy Azalea, admits to having relations with
other women. The release of the video on a social media site last
week created a storm in the Lakers' locker room and friction between
the two players.
"I feel as sick as possible," said Russell, who said he has no clue
how the video surfaced publicly. "I've been asked that question 110
times, and my answer and feelings stay the same. I wish I could make
things better right away, but can't."
Randle eased some tensions, at least for one night.
Two Randle foul shots put the Lakers up 100-98 with 1:04 left in the
extra session, but the Heat tied the score on a Deng layup with 22.5
seconds remaining. Randle followed with the game-winner. Miami
forward Joe Johnson's 3-point attempt before the horn wasn't close.
"(Randle) had D-Wade and Luol Deng to contest his shot," said
Whiteside, who made six of eight shots from the floor but sank just
six of 12 free-throw attempts. "He made a fadeaway spin over two
defenders. He shot 4-for-(11), so that just happened to be one of
the ones he made."
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A bucket by Clarkson and a two free throws by Hibbert allowed Los
Angeles to grab an 84-79 advantage with 2:59 remaining in
regulation, but three consecutive baskets by Wade gave Miami an
85-84 lead with 1:08 left.
After Randle hit one of two free throws to tie the score with 50.2
seconds left, Wade scored again for an 87-85 edge with 29.7 seconds
remaining.
Clarkson's two free throws tied the score again with 19.8 seconds
left.
Wade's shot just before the final horn in regulation was off the
mark.
The Lakers rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit to take a
59-55 lead in the third after a dunk by Randle. However, the score
was tied at 67 heading to the fourth quarter.
Eighteen turnovers (leading to 30 points) hurt Miami's cause. The
Lakers gave the ball away 10 times, leading to 16 points. The Lakers
also prevailed despite shooting 36.3 percent to 47.7 percent for the
Heat.
Lakers forward Kobe Bryant played almost nine minutes before
departing with general soreness. Bryant finished with two points on
1-for-7 shooting.
NOTES: The fallout from the controversy swirling around PG D'Angelo
Russell and G Nick Young could further damage the team's chemistry
issues, Lakers coach Byron Scott said before the game. Scott
previously said trusting each other was among the Lakers' problems
this season. "Obviously, you have some concern," said Scott, whose
club is on par to complete the worst season in franchise history.
"We'll see how it festers during the game tonight, but you have to
have some concern about it." Russell apologized Wednesday ... The
Heat visit the Sacramento Kings on Friday. The Lakers are off until
Sunday, when they host the Boston Celtics. ... Former Lakers F Lamar
Odom sat courtside. Last fall, he was found unconscious in a Nevada
brothel and was subsequently hospitalized for months.
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