Austin Reaves’ last-second OT trey lifts Lakers past Mavericks
Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after shooting the game-winning shot against Tim Hardaway Jr. #11 of the Dallas Mavericks in overtime at American Airlines Center on December 15, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. Tom Pennington/Getty Images/AFP
Austin Reaves hit a 3-pointer with one second left in overtime and LeBron James scored 24 points as the visiting Los Angeles Lakers won their third straight game, beating the Dallas Mavericks 107-104 on Wednesday.
Russell Westbrook had 23 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers, who rallied from a seven-point deficit midway through the fourth quarter and tied the game at 93 on Wayne Ellington’s trey with two seconds left in regulation.
The Lakers moved ahead 104-101 on Westbrook’s 3-pointer with 24 seconds left in the extra period after Tim Hardaway Jr. had tied the game with his fourth trey.
Can't stop watching. #LakersWin pic.twitter.com/Mdzc2WOxGw
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 16, 2021
The Mavericks tied the game at 104 on Maxi Kleber’s 3-pointer with 15.5 seconds left before the rookie Reaves made his fourth 3-pointer to end the wild contest, which included 19 lead changes.
Anthony Davis returned from a two-game absence and tallied 20 points and 12 rebounds for Los Angeles, which won for the sixth time in its past eight games. Reaves finished with a career-high 15 points.
Jalen Brunson scored 25 points to lead Dallas. Kristaps Porzingis had 23 points and 12 rebounds while Hardaway had 20 points and nine rebounds.
Dallas shot 12 of 44 (27.3 percent) from 3-point range without star guard Luka Doncic, who missed his third straight game with left ankle soreness.
The @Lakers OT game-winner and a hug from @KingJames for Austin Reaves! #PhantomCam pic.twitter.com/Nzs41rX7KE
— NBA (@NBA) December 16, 2021
The Lakers played without Talen Horton-Tucker, Dwight Howard and Malik Monk, who all entered the league’s health and safety protocols.
James scored 10 points in the first quarter for the Lakers, who led 33-23 after shooting 57.9 percent from the field.
Dallas stormed back in the second quarter and used a 15-0 run to move ahead 38-35 with 8:12 left in the half.
The Lakers shot 5 of 22 in the second quarter and trailed 50-47 at the break. James had 15 points after closing the half with a 3-pointer.
Los Angeles moved ahead 63-57 midway through the third quarter after Avery Bradley’s 3-pointer capped a 16-3 run.
Dallas entered the fourth quarter tied at 73 and took an 85-78 lead when Brunson scored with 7:09 left to play.
