LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Dennis Schroder grabbed a steal and drove for the go-ahead basket with 7.6 seconds left on Friday as the Los Angeles Lakers edged Memphis 122-121 to end the Grizzles’ 11-game National Basketball Association winning streak.
Russell Westbrook led Los Angeles with 29 points off the bench and superstar LeBron James added 23 for a Lakers team that has struggled to find consistency amid injuries — including the foot trouble sidelining Anthony Davis.
But it was German guard Schroder who starred late, serenely draining a pair of free throws to pull the Lakers within one — at 120-119 — with 13.2 seconds left.
On Memphis’ ensuing possession he poked the ball away from Desmond Bane and raced up the court with it for a layup. Fouled on the play, he made the free throw to put the Lakers up 122-120.
“I just made a play,” Schroder told broadcaster ESPN. “I just went to go get it, stabbed at it, the ball went loose and I just attacked the basket.”
The Grizzles would have another chance, but Ja Morant missed a driving shot and Brandon Clarke missed one of two free throws and the Lakers had the win.
