Even without the sick superstars, the Los Angeles Lakers celebrated their fourth victory in the last five games. At 112:109 Dennis Schröder becomes the winner of the match, in the dramatic final phase he keeps his composure.
Los Angeles Lakers (17-21) – Miami Heat (20-19) 112:109 (BOXSCORE)
The German showed his best performance of the season so far in a game in which the Lakers had to do without the sick LeBron James (“normal cold” – coach Darvin Ham) and the injured Anthony Davis. Schröder finished the game with a season-best 32 points – including 14 in the fourth quarter – sinking 8/15 from the field, 4/7 hat-tricks and 12/14 free throws. He was also there in the crunch time, and he also convinced with 4 interceptions.
Schröder went on to highlight the Lakers’ next man mentality: “Everyone contributed, we played together, it’s a big win for us.” Even after James and Davis returned, he had to “be more aggressive” to create space for his fellow stars.
Russell Westbrook also showed a good performance on the bench, the leader flirted with a triple-double (21 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds), but also lost 7 turnovers. Thomas Bryant continued to put pressure under the basket and scored 21 points (9/11 FG) and 9 rebounds. Bam Adebayo (30, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks) and Jimmy Butler (27, 4 assists, 3 steals) were the Heat’s best players, but otherwise there weren’t enough teammates. Especially Tyler Herro had a bad evening (9, 4/14 FG).
Due to the absence of the two superstars, LA entered the game with a somewhat unusual starting five consisting of Schröder, Patrick Beverley, Austin Reaves, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Thomas Bryant. Nevertheless, the home team held on well from the start, and after Westbrook came on, they even had a slight advantage.
The goalkeeper brought a lot of energy, marked himself or put the other players in the spotlight. A Wenyen Gabriel buzzer beater put LA at 32:23 into the first quarter. The Heat were also looking for long-range pace in the second half (4/16 hat-tricks in the first half), as the Lakers repeatedly presented different defensive strategies. Nonetheless, Kyle Lowry (11) and Adebayo brought the guests back within striking distance, and Miami now caused more damage in the area. 52:48 Lakers at the break.
After the side switch, Butler slowly but surely got back into the heat attack. Miami took the lead for the first time since the first quarter, but it didn’t last long. In that section alone, there were eight lead changes, and the Lakers entered the final section 79:78.
Lakers win thanks to Schröder – drama in the final minutes
Schröder was convincing for the Lakers in this phase, also defensively. Midway through the final lap, however, there was a moment of shock for the German. During a drive to the basket, he badly twisted his ankle on his opponent’s foot. But Schröder stayed in the game – and immediately sank a three on the next attack. His ankle didn’t seem to weigh on him. “I approach every game as if it’s the last. You never know what’s going to happen. Luckily I was hot today.”
Shortly after, Bryant backed up his solid game with a hook shot, one more offensive rebound and one. With three and a half minutes remaining, the Lakers led +5. Shortly after, DS17 fouled a three-point attempt (102:96), but Downtown’s Butler and Adebayo under the basket kept Miami in the game. Schröder came back in the last minute. His next strong drive brought the next free throws. A controversial call also allowed Victor Oladipo to take free throws, but he only hit one.
And Schröder didn’t want to lose anyway. With his quick first step, he once again got past the defense to the basket, a layup high above the board and LA was at +4 with 20 seconds left. Adebayo kept it exciting with a comeback. During the incoming play that followed, Reaves decided on a risky pass in the area to Westbrook and was rewarded. The ball went in, Westbrook sank the lay-up but still wasn’t there. After a late three from Max Strus, Schröder showed nerves of steel down the line. Butler still had one last chance to equalize from Downtown, but his attempt ended at ringside. Victory for the Lakers!
NBA: the leaders of the statistics in Lakers against Heat
| Category | lakers | Heat |
| Points | Dennis Schröder (32) | Bam Adebayo (30) |
| bounces | Tom Bryant (9) | Bam Adebayo (13) |
| assists | Russell Westbrook (9) | Victor Oladipo (5) |
| Fly | Dennis Schröder (4) | Jimmy Butler (3) |
| to block | ao Bryant, Beverley (1 each) | Bam Adebayo (3) |
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