Although the chances are not in favor of the Los Angeles Lakers making a deep run in the NBA playoffs this season, LeBron James may end up with an unusual fifth championship ring this June if the Association continues to “aid” them in trying situations.
The Lakers upset the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night by winning on the road and doing so with the assistance of a broken game clock that gave them extra time to play in the third quarter.
Over the years, it has been argued that James “needs help” to succeed in trying situations, but in Memphis, that support did not precisely come from his teammates or his struggling coach Darvin Ham.
How did the third quarter unfold for LeBron James?
The clock operator in Memphis unintentionally reset the game and shot clocks during a routine shot-clock reset late in the period; strangely, nobody at FedEx Forum seemed to notice the error in real time.
Just realized the Lakers and Grizzlies played 13:06 minutes in the 3rd quarter last night. When the shot clock was supposed to be reset at 1:14, the game clock was also accidentally reset to 2:20. No one noticed and they played the rest of the way with the new game clock. pic.twitter.com/oeEE0F7f3C
— Ramiro Bentes (@NbaInRstats) April 13, 2024
In a close game that the Grizzlies were threatening to win, this resulted in a quarter that was 66 seconds longer, giving James and the Lakers extra time to work with. James scored a game-high 37 points in 41 minutes as opposed to 40, as the Lakers ultimately prevailed, 123-120.
The Lakers-Grizzlies game clock was inaccurately set to 2:20 after shot clock violation when it should have been 1:14 in the 3Q last night
The error was not noticed by anyone until after the game
(via @memphisnews) pic.twitter.com/bmaWWS05fQ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 14, 2024
Ironically, the Lakers only prevailed by two points in the fourth quarter after being outscored 33-30 in the overtime third quarter. It strengthens the theory that the NBA will occasionally “help” James and the Lakers covertly because the league recognizes the potential for significant ratings growth that this player’s presence on this particular team brings, especially at a time when many disgruntled fans are choosing to watch women’s basketball instead.
With the win, the Lakers improved to 46-35 on the season and almost guaranteed Los Angeles’ #8 seed in the Play-In Tournament. If LeBron and company defeat the Suns or Pelicans (both 7th seed), they will have an opportunity to avoid facing the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the actual playoff quarterfinals.
