Skip Bayless calls LeBron James' exploits in the clutch against Wizards "lucky"

LeBron James and the LA Lakers eked out a 119-117 win over the Washington Wizards behind a broken play. James nearly lost the ball, which could have led to a Wizards fastbreak before recovering it and zipping it to Thomas Bryant for a dunk.

After the game, Skip Bayless had this to say about the Lakers’ win:

“LEBRON TURNED IT OVER - ALMOST. BUT THE WIZARDS COULDN'T HANG ON, SOMEHOW LEBRON GOT IT BACK AND WAS ABLE TO KICK IT INSIDE FOR A WIDE-OPEN DUNK. HOW LUCKY WAS THAT??? KUZMA COULD'VE WON IT AT THE BUZZER BUT CLANKED THE THREE!”

Bryant’s uncontested slam was the final margin of the game as Kyle Kuzma missed a desperation three that could have won Washington the game. The LA Lakers bench, like the Crypto.com Arena crowd, couldn’t believe what had just happened.

Had the game ended differently, LeBron James would have been blasted on social media for the late-game miscue. Instead, he was mobbed by teammates after the final buzzer sounded for the assist to Bryant.

Behind the four-time MVP’s 16 points, the Lakers took a 66-52 lead heading into the second half. The Washington Wizards, however, refused to wilt and mounted a blistering rally in the third quarter, outscoring the home team 36-21.

Without Anthony Davis, Washington’s porous defense keyed in on LeBron James all night long. Despite all the attention, he still scored 13 points in the final quarter and handed out at least three crucial assists as well.

James played 37 minutes and had a game-high 33 points to go with seven rebounds and nine assists without committing a single error.

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Austin Reaves played a crucial role in helping LeBron James carry the LA Lakers to victory

Austin Reaves is becoming a reliable part of the LA Lakers' supporting cast.

With Anthony Davis sidelined for a month after injuring his foot against the Denver Nuggets on Friday, Austin Reaves stepped up. The LA Lakers seem to have found a diamond in the rough in the former undrafted standout from Oklahoma.

He is not the Lakers’ most athletic and physically-gifted player, but he makes up for it with smarts and the ability to make big plays. In the game against the Wizards, Reaves took what the defense gave him, particularly when Washington collapsed on LeBron James.

Washington fell behind 111-104 with about 3:20 left in the game before cutting the lead to two points. James and Austin Reaves orchestrated a pick-and-roll on two straight possessions to keep the Wizards at bay.

Bradley Beal’s two free throws with 23.3 seconds eventually tied the game before LeBron James’ near-costly error ended up being the Lakers’ best play. The Lakers, though, could not have won it without Austin Reaves.

The two-year guard, who was inserted into the starting lineup without AD, finished with 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. LA outscored Washington by 15 points when Reaves was on the floor.

Reaves’ numbers do not jump out of the box score, but he just makes so many savvy plays that don’t show up on the stat sheet. Darvin Ham has recognized his improvements and has trusted him more with each game.