ANAHEIM — Three weeks of tuning up is about to finally give way to the real stuff, as the Lakers concluded their preseason schedule on Friday with a 98-94 loss to Phoenix.
Los Angeles trailed by as many as 12 points, but it managed to give itself an opportunity to tie at the very end. Down by two, Julius Randle drew contact on a shot with 5.3 seconds left.
The 21-year-old was one of the most consistent players of the night — collecting 15 points and eight rebounds — but he missed both free throws with the game on the line.