Watch: Lakers’ Julius Randle hits game-winning shot to beat Heat
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With one Lakers youngster getting buried in a barrage of media coverage, another stepped up to deliver the best type of cover: an unexpected victory.
Hours after D’Angelo Russell apologized for taking video of teammate Nick Young without his consent, Julius Randle hit a game-winning basket to lift L.A. to a 102–100 overtime victory over Miami at home on Wednesday.
Boos rained down on Russell early in the contest, but Randle’s finale elicited loud cheers late. With less than 10 seconds remaining in overtime and the score tied at 100, Randle milked the clock down on the right wing against Luol Deng.
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Once the clock hit five, Randle faked to his right and then spun back to his left hand, setting up a hanging runner that he tossed up and over multiple Heat defenders. The shot slipped through with 1.9 seconds remaining, and Miami was unable to score on its final possession.
The Heat also squandered a previous opportunity to close the door in regulation when Dwyane Wade missed a contested jumper as time expired.
Randle finished with 13 points (on 4-of-11 shooting) and 14 rebounds. Jordan Clarkson led the Lakers with 26 points and six rebounds.
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Wade led the Heat with 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
The Lakers improved to 16–59. The Heat fell to 43–31.
