LOS ANGELES—Dennis Schroder scored 14 of his season-high 32 points in the fourth quarter and the undermanned Los Angeles Lakers improbably overcame LeBron James’ absence for a 112–109 victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night, Jan.4.
Russell Westbrook had 21 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for the Lakers, who rallied from a six-point deficit in the fourth quarter and held off Miami without their top three scorers. James stayed home with a cold, while Anthony Davis and Lonnie Walker are injured.
Thomas Bryant added 21 points and nine rebounds, while Schroder was brilliant down the stretch. The German point guard scored nine points in the final 2:35, and his 9–for–9 performance at the free throw line in the fourth quarter sealed the Lakers’ fourth victory in five games….