CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Russell Westbrook had a choice to make at the end of regulation: push to the basket and try to send the game into overtime, or pull the trigger with a 3-pointer and go for the win. .
Westbrook went for the win, but his shot with 0.7 seconds left didn’t land, resulting in another loss for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Miles Bridges had 26 points, the rarely used Ish Smith provided a big boost off the bench with 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting as the Charlotte Hornets beat the Lakers 117-114 on Friday night.
With stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis out with injuries, Westbrook had an impressive game scoring 35 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, while hoping the Lakers would bounce back from a 20-point deficit.
As for the final shot, he has no regrets.
“I just had two (three points) just before that, so I’ll live and die with that one,” Westbrook said.
Down by two, Westbrook received the ball at the top of the key with nine seconds remaining and spun to the left side of the court where he measured defender Miles Bridges. Sensing that Bridges was giving him enough room to shoot, Westbrook went for the win and stopped.
But the ball bounced off the rim and PJ Washington secured the rebound. Washington added a free throw with 0.2 remaining for the final margin.
Bridges, who was traded to Westbrook on the last play, said he thought Westbrook would go for the win with the Lakers playing on the road and on the second night in a row.
“I know he didn’t want to go into overtime,” Bridges said. “I tried to give him a good competition.”
Lakers coach Frank Vogel said he had no problem with Westbrook’s shot selection.
“The hottest guy in the gym has the ball in his hands ready to make a play,” Vogel said. “He made 3 of 6 of 3 in the second half and went for the win. He knocks that down, we’re talking about a big win. He just didn’t go down for us. Russell was spectacular in that second half. He really wanted our team to have a chance to steal one down the road.”
James missed his second straight game due to left knee soreness and Davis did not play due to right wrist soreness. Vogel said he held onto his star center as a precaution after Davis scored 31 points in a loss at Philadelphia on Thursday night.
LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier each had 20 points for the Hornets. Carmelo Anthony added 19 points for the Lakers and rookie Austin Reaves had 16.
The Hornets jumped out to a 16-3 lead and led by 20 in the third quarter before the Lakers used a strong third quarter to fight their way back into the game.
SMITH STAYS READY
Smith sees sporadic playing time for the Hornets behind Ball and Rozier. But Hornets coach James Borrego praised the veteran point guard for his ability to stay sharp when his number is called.
“Be prepared, your opportunity is just around the corner,” Borrego said. “You have to be prepared for it. Every time we have called his number he has answered the doorbell.”
WESTBROOK MOTIVATED
Westbrook said he got fired up when Bridges taunted him with the “you’re too small” sign, and he promptly drew a technical foul for taunting.
“I think he was trying to say I was too small or something, but that’s not the case and he knows better than that,” Westbrook said. “It was definitely on my mind and I thought, ok, that will be a good trigger for me. I was able to raise the level a little bit, especially during that moment of the game.”
BRIDGES KEEP WARM
Bridges has scored at least 20 points in five of his last six games.
“I’m comfortable right now and I love having the ball in my hands,” Bridges said. “And LaMelo does a great job of giving everybody the ball.”
INS COUNCIL
Lakers: They were outscored 58-38 in the paint.
Hornets: Mason Plumlee had a season-high 17 rebounds. Plumlee was penalized for 3 defensive seconds twice on the same possession in the second half. … Cody Martin had a remarkable block on Westbrook in the second half, chasing him down the lane and hitting the shot from behind.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
Lakers: In Atlanta on Sunday.
Hornets: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism