By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Los Angeles Lakers claimed the seventh spot in the Western Conference playoffs with a grueling 108-102 overtime victory over the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA’s play-in tournament.
German guard Dennis Schroder scored 21 points and iced the win with two free throws with 8.4 seconds left for the Lakers, who will face second-seeded Memphis in the first round starting Sunday.
Schroder also made a big tiebreaking three with 1.4 seconds to play in regulation and celebrated in front of the opponents’ bench (photo), but the Wolves forced overtime when Mike Conley hit his free throws after Anthony Davis stepped on his foot after he had already released a 3-point attempt.
“AD had a brain fart and messed his game-winner up”, said LeBron James after the game, while he had 30 points and 10 rebounds. Anthony Davis added 24 points and 15 rebounds.
“I apologize, I definitely apologize”, added Davis jokingly interrupting the flash interview.
On the other side, Conley scored 23 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 24 points for the Wolves, who will host the winner of the game between New Orleans and Oklahoma City on Friday for the eighth spot and a first-round date with top-seeded Denver beginning Sunday.
Minnesota played without starters Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels.
Gobert is suspended for punching teammate Kyle Anderson during Minnesota’s regular-season finale against New Orleans, while McDaniels is out indefinitely with a broken hand after punching a wall in frustration Sunday.