Watch: Huertas hides behind Heat coach, steals ball from Dragic
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For once, the whole world was laughing with Lakers guard Marcelo Huertas, not at him.
The 32-year-old Brazilian point guard has produced more than his share of lowlights this season, but the Lakers’ 102–100 overtime victory over the Heat on Wednesday night saw him execute a hilarious trick play (nearly) to perfection.
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With a less than 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Lou Williams stepped to the free throw line to give the Lakers a 70–68 lead. As Miami cleared the rebound following a miss, Huertas hid behind Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who was standing near the three-point line in from of his team’s bench. Goran Dragic never saw Huertas as he dribbled the ball up the court, prompting Huertas to make a mad dash toward the ball once Dragic passed half-court.
The all-out sprint succeeded: Huertas was able to poke the ball away from Dragic from behind before collecting the rock to get a steal on the play. Although the defensive wizardry didn’t lead to a basket on the ensuing Lakers possession, Huertas’s shenanigans did succeed in causing Lakers color commentator Stu Lantz to break up in laughter.
Huertas finished with six points and four assists off the bench. Jordan Clarkson led the Lakers with 26 points and six rebounds. Dwyane Wade led the Heat with 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
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The Lakers improved to 16–59 thanks to a Julius Randle game-winner. The Heat fell to 43–31.
