LeBron James had a “simple” explanation as to why he passed up a layup to dish the rock to Carmelo Anthony, who missed a game-winning, jumper in the Lakers’ 139-130 loss to the Rockets in overtime on Wednesday.
“I ended up behind the backboard,” James said, noting that he thought he had an angle on the drive before Houston’s David Nwaba entered his path.
“I was a little bit off-balance and I could have forced a reverse layup, but I wasn’t in the position to feel like I could have got a great look. I could have got a decent look and I feel like Melo’s look was a lot better than mine.”
The Lakers had a prime opportunity to send the worst-in-the-West Rockets home when James drove to the basket in the final seconds with the score tied, 120-120. Instead, Anthony got the late pass on the wing, and pump-faked to get his footing, but missed the shot at the buzzer.
Although James recorded a triple-double to go with Russell…