Luka Doncic Hesitates, LeBron James Misses Winner

Merlin sees the Lakers' 110-109 loss to Orlando hinge on one late moment. With 6.7 seconds left Luka Dončić said "I know I was open" but picked up his dribble, got double-teamed and passed to LeBron James, whose off-balance turnaround jumper rimmed out. The defeat dropped L.A. to 34-23, two games ahead of seventh and nudged them closer to the play-in danger. Merlin senses bigger questions. Dončić was 8-of-24 and 2-of-10 from three and admitted he "probably shouldn't have picked up the ball," while James offered "I thought he had a good look." With elite talent but recent inconsistency, the road tests at Phoenix and Golden State become must-win chances to steady the ship.