LEBRON JAMES LEADS LAKERS TO THE IN-SEASON TOURNAMENT SEMIFINALS WITH A 106-103 WIN OVER SUNS
With a 106-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, LeBron James scored 15 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Los Angeles Lakers earn the final semifinal place in the first NBA In-Season Tournament.
Austin Reaves scored 20 points and Anthony Davis finished with 27 points and 15 rebounds for the top-seeded Lakers, who will play New Orleans on Thursday in Las Vegas. Indiana and Milwaukee square off in the East semifinal.
James recorded 11 assists, 8 rebounds, 5 steals, and a brilliant shooting display in the last minutes of play. The 21-year-old veteran helped Los Angeles pull away by scoring 15 of the Lakers’ first 19 points in the closing frame and dishing out assists on his teammates’ other two baskets.
For the Suns, Kevin Durant missed a crucial 3-point shot at the buzzer despite scoring 31 points. Prior to dropping its third game of the season to Los Angeles, Phoenix had won eight of ten.
With 29 seconds remaining, Devin Booker made a layup to cut the Lakers’ advantage to 102-101, but with 15 seconds remaining, Reaves drained his third 3-pointer.
fter the break to grab the lead.
WHAT A SHOT ‼️
— NBA (@NBA) December 6, 2023
Austin Reaves shows EMOTION after icing the game in the NBA In-Season Tournament Quarterfinals to advance to the Semifinals 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/JbQzKnoloe
Shortly after, Durant scored another layup, and Davis missed his first two free throw attempts, setting up Durant for what could have been the game-winning basket.
For Phoenix, Booker and Grayson Allen each scored twenty-one points. Devin Booker was unhappy with the Controversial call that was given in the favor of the Lakers in last 15 seconds on the loose ball right after the layup he scored to minimize their lead to one point. Lakers got possession afterwards and Austin Reaves scores a clutch three pointer on it to further lead to 4 points in last 15 seconds.
Devin Booker after tough In-Season Tournament Quarterfinal loss to the Lakers.
“We’re not asking for favoritism, just a fair chance.”
LeBron said in his postgame interview, that he was verbally calling for timeout as well. So his hands making the timeout signal may not reflect the earliest moment that he called timeout.
According to Trevor lane time out was called when Austin Reaves was using his left hand to pin the ball to his left leg.
After winning in Phoenix on November 10 and going undefeated in the first tournament’s group stage, the Lakers were awarded the top seed in the West. After that loss, the Suns bounced back to secure a wild-card berth in the elimination round.
Darvin Ham of the Lakers and Frank Vogel of the Phoenix Suns both claimed that their players are getting into the spirit of the competition, especially with the drive to earn cash bonuses for their teams’ younger players and support staff. However, fans continue to argue over the benefits of the In-Season Tournament.
“They know exactly what that bag is,” smiled Ham. “Man, money speaks.”
LeBron James speaks on the chase for the NBACup
“You got the greatest competitors in the world fighting for something, so let’s fight”
There were lot o f celebrities who attended the Lake show at Crypto Arena which included Kim Kardashian who was enjoying the NBA In-Season Tournament Quarterfinal with her Kids and Druski was also among other stars sitting court side enjoying the game.https://x.com/NBA/status/1732248357404398041?s=20
With his ongoing back issue, Bradley Beal missed his 11th consecutive game for the Suns, who persevered despite making 22 turnovers and having their two healthy superstars suffer with foul trouble. Early in the fourth quarter, Booker received his fifth foul; with 3:18 remaining in the game, Durant, who had already committed four fouls, picked up his fifth.
Phoenix made the most turnovers this season—10—of any club in the NBA in just the opening quarter alone. After trailing by 15 points at the half, the Suns rallied for 14 straight points a
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