LeBron James powers OT win as Lakers take control of series

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James made the tying layup with 0.8 seconds left in regulation before scoring four of his 22 points in overtime, and the Los Angeles Lakers surged to a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series with a 117-111 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.

James also grabbed a career playoff-high 20 rebounds and added seven assists and two blocked shots while committing just one turnover in his 270th playoff game, extending his own NBA record. He became the first Lakers player to put up 20 points and 20 rebounds in a playoff game since Shaquille O'Neal in 2004.

At 38 years and 115 days old, James is also the oldest player ever with a 20-point, 20-rebound game, including regular season and playoffs.

«He just took over down the stretch,» Anthony Davis said of James. «Got us a bucket to get to overtime.… All our guys, it was a good team effort. This team is not going to go away.»

Austin Reaves scored 23 points and Davis had five of his 12 in overtime for the seventh-seeded Lakers, who have won two straight home games to move to the brink of their first playoff series victory outside the Florida bubble since 2012.

Los Angeles surged back from a seven-point deficit with five minutes left in regulation with a rally that abruptly began when D'Angelo Russell hit three consecutive 3-pointers, and the Lakers never trailed in OT.

«I'm so proud of our guys, the way we fought,» Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. «We found a way.»

James now has eight game-tying or go-ahead field goals inside the final 5 seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime for his playoff career, which is double any other player over the last 25 postseasons. Kobe Bryant has the next most with four.

Game 5 is Wednesday night in Memphis.

Desm