The Los Angeles Lakers barely scraped by the Phoenix Suns in the In-season Tournament’s quarterfinals. In a 106-103 win, LeBron James took over the game, almost finishing the night with a triple-double. And despite a strong and heroic performance by Kevin Durant, the Lakers go on to the semi-finals.

The Lakers managed to send the Suns home packing. However, a late crunch time call is being speculated by fans that bailed LeBron James and the Lakers in the final few seconds of the game.

Did the officials bail out LeBron James and the Lakers?

The Los Angeles Lakers may have won the game to advance to the semi-finals but fans are not convinced. Many fans are calling out the officials for bailing out LeBron James and the Lakers. LeBron James hit a clutch layup to extend the Lakers lead. Which was followed by an Austin Reaves’ three to seal the fate of the game. But what the Instagram post does not show is the timeout that the Lakers were awarded on a loose ball.

In the video below, Austin Reaves is double-teamed by both Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. The ball gets loose, after which LeBron James goes on to call a timeout. According to the rules, a team must have the ball to call a timeout.

However, the officials went on to award the Lakers with a timeout nonetheless, changing the whole outcome of the game. Fans on social media were not happy with the call and decided to call out the unfair play.

Because, if they had not awarded the Lakers the timeout, the game would’ve been tied and probably would’ve gone into overtime.

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Fans lash out on social media

Numerous fans on social media were livid with LeBron James getting favored by the officials in the final seconds of the game.

One fan on Instagram posted, “No way lebron got away with that timeout.”

While another fan commented, “Rigged league.. that ball was loose no way lakers shoulda got a timeout.. i guess the nba HAD to make sure the lakers made it to vegas.”

Here are a few more reactions from fans on IG.

“‪This time the Lakers were legitimately bailed out by the refs‬.”

“At least I know that was a bs call since the only thing lakers fans can say is “cry more”.”

“Giving the lakers the timeout on the steal that would’ve tied the game with 8 seconds left is unreal.”

“How can you call a timeout when no one has possession of the ball? Shoulda been an easy lay up for the suns to tie the game at 105 but whatever.”

Fans were clearly not happy with the call. And now, with the Lakers getting an assist from the officials, Los Angeles advances to the In-season Tournament’s semi-finals. It would be interesting to see if the Lakers get yet another boost from the referees in that game.

What do you make of the call? Let us know in the comments.

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