A desperate shot by star LeBron James has secured defending champion Los Angeles Lakers a place in the American basketball league NBA playoffs.
With a minute to play in the jump-off against Golden State Warriors and the shot clock close to 0 seconds, James hit the ball from a distance for a decisive 3-punt.
It meant a 103-100 win and a follow-up in the post-competition, in which the Lakers can hunt for title prolongation.
The opponent in the first round of the playoffs next Sunday will be Phoenix Suns. The losing Warriors will have one last chance to join the last sixteen teams that will continue to compete for the championship.
On Friday, Memphis Grizzlies will be the opponent in a final jump-off. The Grizzlies eliminated San Antonio Spurs earlier on Wednesday evening (local time) in the battle for the final spots in the playoffs: 100-96.
