James makes the right play to the very end

He assists Hachimura's three to beat Toronto, even as it ends his record scoring streak.

- THỤC NHI NGUYEN

LEBRON JAMES rejoices with Deandre Ayton after overcoming a poor-shooting, eight-point night Thursday to deliver the assist on the game-winning three.

Of course. Stuck between trying to extend his record streak of 1,297 consecutive games with 10 or more points or passing to an open Rui Hachimura to take the potential winning shot, LeBron James made the right play.

Because that's what he's done for 23 seasons in the NBA.

James' assist on Hachimura's buzzer-beating three-pointer punctuated the Lakers' dramatic 123120 win over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday at Scotiabank Arena.

After the Lakers forced a miss by Brandon Ingram with 22.9 seconds left, Austin Reaves heard Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic calling for a double team. Scottie Barnes rushed to guard Reaves near the sideline and the Lakers' guard sent a left-handed bounce pass to James near the top of the arc. James, with eight points on labored four-for-17 shooting, took one dribble and fired it to Hachimura in the corner.

"I just make the right play," James said. "That's all that matters. Win, lose or draw, make the right play." James' 11 assists and Reaves' 44 points and 10 assists helped the Lakers overcome the absence of Luka Doncic, who missed the game because of personal reasons. The NBA's leading scorer and his fiancee were expecting their second child.