Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick explained why LeBron James, not Luka Doncic, took a crucial late free throw in their 116-114 win over the Suns.
Los Angeles Lakers escaped a late scare to edge out the Phoenix Suns 116-114, salvaging a win after nearly blowing a 20-point lead.
The closing minutes were tense, especially after Dillon Brooks hit a go-ahead three-pointer, 114-113, with 12.2 seconds left. Brooks was called for a technical foul after bumping LeBron James, giving the Lakers a crucial free throw opportunity.
James missed the technical shot, but he redeemed himself by sinking two of three free throws after being fouled by Devin Booker from beyond the arc with three seconds remaining. Lakers coach JJ Redick admitted he was surprised that James took the technical free throw.
“Guys were out on the court, Luka and I talked, I thought Luka was gonna shoot it, I walked back [to the bench], LeBron was on the free throw line and shot it. I don't know what the dialogue on the court was,” Redick said in a post-game press conference.
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“Early in the season, we kind of designated who's gonna shoot the technicals. Every team is different. Sometimes it's the superstar, sometimes it's the best free-throw shooter, sometimes it's the guy who maybe needs to see the ball go into the basket. It's all situational. But Luka should have shot that,” he explained.
James finished the night with 26 points, going 9-of-14 from the charity stripe, and added a key block against Grayson Allen in the final moments.
Luka Doncic led the team with 29 points, hitting 13-of-14 free throws, though he struggled from the field, shooting 7-of-25.
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