As dangerous because the Los Angeles Lakers performed a big a part of Monday’s match in opposition to the Phoenix Sunsthey nonetheless had an opportunity to win within the ultimate moments. With 7.2 seconds left within the fourth quarter, they trailed 107-104 and returned the ball to LeBron James, who was instantly fouled with 6.1 seconds left and did not subsequently couldn’t reach a capturing try.
He made the primary free throw, then selected to deliberately miss the second try to provide his workforce an opportunity to achieve possession from behind. However the miss was so errant that it hit the underside of the rim, and the Suns acquired the ball again to finish the sport and provides Los Angeles a possession. 109-105 defeat.
Some questioned James’ choice to deliberately miss that second foul shot as a substitute of creating it, then cease the clock by fouling a Suns participant. However head coach JJ Redick appeared to say after the sport that James’ intentional miss was the plan, particularly since Los Angeles was out of timeouts.
It is troublesome for a participant to deliberately miss a free throw in a means that might give their workforce an actual likelihood to get the rebound from that miss. Getting a very good shot try and getting it proper a number of seconds later is one other matter.
The Lakers are nonetheless 3-1 and look like a extra steady workforce than they’ve been shortly. They may subsequent face James’ former workforce, the Cleveland Cavaliers, on Wednesday.
This text was initially revealed on LeBron Wire: JJ Redick deliberately defends LeBron James’ missed free throw try
