5 reasons the Pacers lost a thriller to LeBron James and the Lakers

INDIANAPOLIS — During his pregame news conference, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle joked that his team had "the unlucky fortune" of facing a Lakers squad led by a "fresh" LeBron James, who returned from a one-game suspension Wednesday night. Anthony Davis was held out with the flu, but even in his absence Indiana still had its hands full with James.

After Pacers rookie Chris Duarte buried a 3 to send the game to overtime, it was James who made play after play in the extra period to lead the Lakers to a 124-116 victory. Here's what stood out:

Chris Duarte's clutch 3

Duarte made the biggest shot of his young career when he nailed a 3-pointer from the corner right in front of the Lakers' bench to tie the game at 112 with 6.5 seconds left. He finished with three 3s and 17 points, but no bucket was more clutch than that one.

"He's unafraid," Carlisle said. "He has rise up ability and skill, and he shoots with a lot of range."

James missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer on the ensuing possession, but he dominated in overtime to lift his team to victory.

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LeBron James is still king

Even in James' 19th NBA season, he is still arguably the best player in the world.

The game was tied at 114 with just under three minutes left in overtime when James drilled a 3 over Domantas Sabonis to put his squad ahead. Moments later he drilled another 3-pointer to extend the lead to 120-114 with 1:52 left in the extra period. The 17-time all-star delivered the final dagger with a turnaround jumper over Brogdon with 41.2 seconds left to make it 122-116.

"He's one of the greatest players of all time," Brogdon said. "He's been in that situation a thousand times so he's not gonna shy (away) from the moment, and I think that's what we experienced (Wednesday). He made some tough shots."

James scored 17 of his season-hi39 points in the fourth quarter and overtime and also had five rebounds and six assists in the game.

Brogdon had a team-high 28 points and was one of seven Pacers players to score in double figures.

Ice cold overtime