Leading 109-105 with 14.8 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Los Angeles Lakers looked to be on their way to a critical win over the Dallas Mavericks and a sizable boost in the Western Conference standings.
Instead, two big miscues on defense cost them the game.
First, Anthony Davis fouled Maxi Kleber with 7.2 seconds left while he attempted a 3-pointer. Kleber made all three ensuing free throws, and after Davis made one of two free throws on the other end, all the Lakers needed was one stop, as they were up by two with 6.7 seconds left.
Alas, Davis was out of position defensively as L.A. trapped Kyrie Irving, leading to an open Kleber hitting a buzzer-beating triple to deliver a gut punch to the Purple and Gold in the form of a 111-110 loss.
Fans on Twitter were greatly disappointed and frustrated with this inexcusable defeat.
The @Lakers should stop the Anthony Davis expirement it's time to trade AD if they won't make it to playoff. #LakeShow
— Im_That_Dude ✌B7M 🇵🇭 S4RA 👊 (@imdtDude) March 18, 2023
Need bron back now can’t handle ad being the number 1 option
— Austin reaves burner (@Lakers17chipOG) March 18, 2023
LeBron James needs to sit out until next season. If lakers some how make the playoffs, Bron needs to sit out until game 3 and pray lakers can steal a road playoff game. @JeanieBuss
— TheYZN1 (@TheYzn1) March 18, 2023
AD ruined my spring break
— Lakers aka Kwabena (@Iakerss) March 18, 2023
All that is true. But hardly AD being the sole reason the Lakers lost! DLo 0-6 from 3, only 11 pts!!! If you gonna hold a star like AD to a standard you best throw DLo in there as well. https://t.co/QucR9IGaeg
— Gabby984 (@Gab_984) March 18, 2023
Please trade AD in the offseason he’s not the guy the lakers need #NBA #NBATwitter
— Trent Bullock (@BrandBullockT) March 18, 2023
@Lakers it is very simple, you lead by two, do not give up a three by any means. Either a long two or foul them. 😩
— B (@iamrealbern) March 18, 2023
AD pulled up for 2 jump shots in the bonus. I've seen AD doubled and tripled still dominant. This is a total lack of effort. AD doesn't get IT! He is a Lakers BIG MAN. These games don't go away in Lakers uniforms. 1 championship might as well be zero if he can't be better.
— Sumtynnaztee (@Sumtynnaztee1) March 18, 2023
Lakers would be over .500 if it wasn’t for buzzer beaters
— Vane (@Rellish___) March 18, 2023
I know that Lakers are good but why are they suddenly in the losing streak? Do they want the 10th spot so bad?😂
— Sha Garcht (@ShaGarch98) March 18, 2023
Tonight , I will be the only optimistic Lakers fan. Mistakes happen, let's move on to the next one. Still only 2 games behind that 6th seed if possible or a game behind the 8th seed with 11 games to play.
— Lakers_Truth_Teller (@LakersTeller) March 18, 2023
