LeBron James' Clutch 4th Quarter Thrills NBA Fans as Lakers Rally to Beat Heat

Featured Columnist IVJanuary 16, 2025

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers scores on a jumper in front of Haywood Highsmith #24 and Alec Burks #18 of the Miami Heat during a 117-108 Lakers win at Crypto.com Arena on January 15, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Harry How/Getty Images

A strong second half propelled the Los Angeles Lakers to a 117-108 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night.

With the victory, the Lakers improved to 21-17 and moved into sixth place in the Western Conference, a half-game ahead of the Dallas Mavericks.

Los Angeles trailed by 12 points at the half before outscoring Miami 29-19 in the third quarter. L.A. then dropped 34 points in the fourth to get over the top.

LeBron James shot 4-of-6 from the field for nine points and added one rebound, two assists and one steal in the final frame. During one stretch, James scored seven straight points to take the wind out of the Heat's sails as they were trying to mount a comeback.

The Heat were still without star Jimmy Butler, who wrapped up his seven-game suspension, and he was sorely missed as Miami simply had no counter for LeBron. This wasn't the most prolific fourth quarter of his legendary career, but he stepped up when the Lakers needed him.

Real Sports @realapp_
LeBron James outscored the entire Heat team over the last 4 minutes of the game 👑 <a href="https://t.co/LBszkRYz5v">pic.twitter.com/LBszkRYz5v</a>

claire de lune @ClaireMPLS
steph and lebron both going the f off my agenda lives to see another day

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Skip Bayless @RealSkipBayless
LeBron finally started shooting, made 3 late jumpers to extend a 2-point lead and blow it open vs visiting Heat. Same Lakers who gave up 38 in the 1st quarter finally locked down and allowed only 42 entire 2nd half. Some defense! Finally!

Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
LeBron just really getting into his play-making bag again right now Off-ball defense has been a problem tonight just with the eyes on AD and Bron Heat down 4 with 5 minutes left They keep finding ways to score but the formula to winning is the defensive side of things

𝙉𝘼𝙅 @najeeadams_
lakers winning this game because they have lebron and the heat dont

kmick @kmicktwt
LeBron is currently dismantling the Miami heat

MiamiTVG @MiamiTvg
Of course LeBron

Heat Lifer 🔥🔥🔥 @MiamiHeathr
LeBron man

Ethan Price @Paradox_EP
LeBron putting away Miami… Pat Riley can't catch a break 😂

James finished with 22 points and nine rebounds. All five Lakers starters scored in double figures with Anthony Davis (22 points, 11 rebounds) and Austin Reaves (14 points, 14 assists) each posting a double-double.

Tyler Herro dropped a game-high 34 points for the Heat but didn't get a ton of help. Davis did well to limit the impact of Bam Adebayo, who had 10 points and four boards.

Snapping a three-game losing skid, the Lakers have a great opportunity to keep building on their momentum from last night.

On Friday, they welcome in the Brooklyn Nets, who are fresh off a 126-67 drubbing at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers. Brooklyn has dropped six of its last seven games and totally bottomed out following a 9-10 start to the season.