In a game that appears to have secured everything for the Los Angeles Lakers, a stunning last minute breakdown surprised the Chicago Bulls with a 119-117 victory. With just 10 seconds left on the clock and five leads by the Lakers, it should have been a routine finish, most events being unpredictable in a series of events.
Patrick Williams ignited a comeback with a three-pointer in the clutch corner, cutting the deficit to two. LeBron James’ uncharacteristic mistake was that the inbound pass was intercepted by Josh Giddy. Using the sales, Giddy quickly handed the ball to Coby White to a plate. Coby White sunks a three-pointer to give the Bulls a 116-115 lead with just six seconds left.
The Giddey Heroes round out the turn of an incredible event
Despite the chaos, the Lakers had their last chance to regain control. Austin Reeves headed for the basket and converted the layup, moving Los Angeles one point ahead with 3.3 seconds remaining. However, the drama wasn’t over.
Without a timeout remaining, Giddey inbounded the ball and ran through the court. The Lakers defense was unable to pick him up during the transition and was able to start a desperate shot beyond the half court. As the ball sailed through the air, the United Center blew into a breath, erupting at the celebration, and shots banked to the buzzer, sealing Chicago’s miraculous victory.
The defensive collapse raises doubts the Lakers
The Lakers’ inability to close the game was a clear concern, especially after leading 18 points in the fourth quarter. Their defense, which was solid for most of the contest, collapsed when it was most important, and admitted 44 points in the final period alone.
Manager JJ Reddick admitted defensive lapse, calling the loss “devastating” and pointed to the meltdown of previous games as a continuing problem for the team. LeBron James took responsibility for his departure, and Reeves admitted a breakdown in communication during a critical inbound play.
Now, another game is looming against the Memphis Grizzlies, so the Lakers will have to regroup soon. If they want to stay in playoff competition, it is essential to find a way to avoid these expensive late game errors. As James briefly stated,
“You can’t stick to it. You move forward and prepare for the next thing.”
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