LeBron scored 27, but Lakers made 26 turnovers, making them fall to the Heat
The jersey of LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade, the trio of superstars who turned the NBA on its head by sending a super team to Miami, will one day hang in the rafters alongside their former teammates.
However, on Wednesday, James’ jersey was resting on his broad shoulders, which he once used to be able to lift whatever roster he was given. But those times are long gone, replaced by contests in which his performance only counts toward lifetime stats, not victories.
Two days before his 38th birthday, James scored 27 points while playing the second night of a back-to-back, but the Lakers’ 112-98 loss leaves them much closer to the Western Conference cellar than to any genuine threat.
James once fought for position on the block for the whole play, only to wind up on the floor chasing a loose ball after Russell Westbrook’s corner three was airballed.
His hands were in the air for a short period as he lay on the ground, frustrated and worn out.
James kept fighting, or at least it seemed that way.
The Lakers cut the deficit to single digits late in the fourth quarter after another terrible third quarter allowed the Heat to lead by as many as 22. However, they’ve been worn out from the pursuit at that point, missing many shots and making many errors.
The Heat won the game thanks to a three from Tyler Herro after James’ errant pass out of the post caused the Lakers’ 23rd turnover. In the last two minutes, James and the Lakers would commit three more turnovers, bringing the total to 26, which resulted in 29 Miami points.
Six turnovers by the Heat resulted in just two points for the Lakers.
Bam Adebayo ruled the paint with 23 points and 14 rebounds, while Jimmy Butler led Miami with 27 points.
Troy Brown Jr. scored 14, and Dennis Schroder and Westbrook scored 15 and Westbrook. Austin Reaves and Lonnie Walker IV failed to score in the defeat.
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