The Lakers fell in a tense double-overtime game against the Mavericks (115-119). It was a second straight loss for Los Angeles.
One of the key plays of the game was towards the end of the fourth quarter. With 11 seconds left to play the Lakers held a three-point advantage after Russell Westbrook made two free-throws. But then Luka Doncic nailed a step back three-pointer to tie the game and force an overtime.
It was a similar situation towards the end of the first overtime. The Lakers had a three-point advantage after LeBron James two free-throws, but then Luka Doncic responded with a step back three-pointer which tied the score with 47 seconds left to play.
James attempted his own step back three-pointer, but missed it. Tim Hardaway Jr. also missed a shot from beyond the arc and the game went to the second overtime which was won by the Mavericks.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham took responsibility for Doncic’s three-pointer that forced the overtime. According to him, the plan was not to foul the Slovenian superstar, but force him off the three-point line.
“No, we weren’t looking to foul,” Ham said. “Everything was red after ten. Hit if we needed to. Felt confident in the five guys we had out there defending. He did what Luka does – he made his shot.
“I’m kicking myself in the butt – needed to coach a little better in that instance. We should have blitzed him or at least forced him aside to the three-point line.
“In those situations it’s kind of chaotic, bunch of chatter, everything’s going on, you’re trying to figure out the matchups and we’re gonna read it and switch anyway. I take the bullet for that. That’s on me. We have to better defensively in those moments and force someone else to beat us.”
