NBA roundup: LeBron James misses late free throw as Lakers lose to Wizards

| 23 February 2021

LeBron James missed a late free throw which could have clinched the victory for the Lakers in regulation.

The Washington Wizards continued their resurgence by hitting back against the Los Angeles Lakers to secure a 127-124 upset win in overtime.

Bradley Beal once again led from the front, scoring on three consecutive possessions down the stretch as the Wizards rallied from a 17-point deficit in the second half.

LeBron James had an opportunity to seal the win for the Lakers in regulation, but he missed a go-ahead free throw with nine seconds left.

65 points, 21 rebounds, and 15 assists from these two tonight.@RealDealBeal23: 33p-7r-6a-3s@russwest44: 32p-14r-9a pic.twitter.com/8NA8P9EyJn

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 23, 2021

Beal and Russell Westbrook then combined for all of Washington's points in overtime to clinch the team's fifth straight victory.

The Utah Jazz set a new franchise record for threes as they breezed past the Charlotte Hornets 132-110.

The Jazz scored a staggering 28 buckets from long range in the dominant victory, led by seven each from Joe Ingles and Georges Niang.

This is the third time this season we've broken our franchise record for threes made in a game. Last time was earlier this season against the Hornets.#UltraMoment | @MichelobUltra pic.twitter.com/DFSwSGBteP

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) February 23, 2021

Charlotte did well to hold their own against the Western Conference leaders early on and took a three-point lead into half time.

But they were unable to keep pace for the full 48 minutes, with the Jazz proving unstoppable from beyond the arc down the stretch.

Devin Booker scored 34 points to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 132-100 demolition of the Portland Trail Blazers.

SUNS WIN!SUNS WIN!SUNS WIN! SUNS WIN! SUNS WIN! #WeAreTheValley pic.twitter.com/SixumgqHSV

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 23, 2021

Dario Saric added 14 points and nine rebounds as the Suns continued to cement themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the west.

Elsewhere, the Miami Heat made it three in a row with a 14-point win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Dallas Mavericks beat the Memphis Grizzlies 102-92 and the Chicago Bulls regained eighth spot in the east with a 120-100 victory over the Houston Rockets.