LeBron James contributed 15 of his 31 factors within the fourth quarter on Tuesday, main the Los Angeles Lakers to safe the ultimate semifinal spot within the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament with a 106-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Anthony Davis had 27 factors and 15 rebounds, and Austin Reaves scored 20 for the top-seeded Lakers, who will face New Orleans on Thursday in Las Vegas. Milwaukee performs Indiana within the East semifinal.
“You’ve got some of the most alpha male competitors in the world, and if you give us an opportunity to play for something meaningful or an incentive, then you get what you’re getting,” stated James, who additionally racked up 11 assists, eight rebounds and 5 steals. “The In-Season Tournament is what it is, and we have an opportunity to play on a big stage, be on national television, represent our families, our communities, where we come from.”
James placed on a masterful capturing efficiency down the stretch, scoring 15 of the Lakers’ first 19 factors within the ultimate interval and getting the assists on his teammates’ different two baskets as Los Angeles pulled forward.
Kevin Durant scored 31 factors however badly missed a protracted 3-point try on the buzzer for the Suns. Phoenix had already received eight of 10 earlier than dropping to Los Angeles for the third time this season.
Devin Booker lower the Lakers’ result in 102-101 on a layup with 29 seconds to play, however Reaves drilled his third 3-pointer with 15 seconds left.
After Durant made one other layup moments later, the Suns have been left livid when officers granted James’ request for a timeout. At the identical time, the ball seemed to be unfastened as a result of Booker had knocked it away from Reaves an immediate earlier.
“It’s a loose ball, and you can’t call a timeout on a loose ball,” Phoenix coach Frank Vogel stated. “The whistle blows. I don’t know why. Everything in the league is reviewable. I don’t know why that can’t be reviewable. … We got the trap, we got the turnover, (and the) damn whistle blows. It’s just frustrating.”
Reaves stated he thought Booker in all probability fouled him an immediate earlier than the timeout was granted.
“There was no call, and LeBron made a high-IQ play he’s made a million times,” Reaves stated.
Durant didn’t share his coach’s anger concerning the name, saying he didn’t initially consider the ball was unfastened when the timeout was granted.
“That’s not the ballgame,” Durant stated. “That is one play. It is a 48-minute game. I don’t like to complain about calls. Sometimes, the ref is not going to get it right all the time. Sometimes it’s on us to play through all that stuff and not worry about putting the game in the ref’s hands.”
Davis was ultimately fouled, however he missed considered one of two free throws to open the door for Durant’s potential tying 30-footer.
Booker and Grayson Allen scored 21 factors apiece for Phoenix.
The Lakers earned the highest seed within the West by going unbeaten within the group stage of the inaugural event, together with a win on Nov. 10 in Phoenix. The Suns rebounded from that setback to earn a wild-card spot within the knockout spherical.
While followers are nonetheless debating the deserves of the In-Season Tournament, each Vogel and Lakers coach Darvin Ham stated their gamers are stepping into the spirit of the occasion, notably with the motivation to earn monetary bonuses for his or her groups’ help personnel and youthful gamers.
“They’re well aware of that bag,” Ham stated with a smile. “Money speaks, man.”
Bradley Beal missed his eleventh straight recreation with a persistent again damage for the Suns, who hung in regardless of committing 22 turnovers whereas their two wholesome superstars struggled with foul bother. Booker picked up his fifth foul early within the fourth quarter, whereas Durant entered the ultimate interval with 4 fouls and dedicated his fifth with 3:18 to play.
Phoenix dedicated 10 turnovers within the first quarter alone, probably the most by any crew within the league this season. The Suns trailed by 15 within the first half however scored 14 consecutive factors out of halftime to take a lead.
“We didn’t do enough early in the game,” Vogel stated. “The turnovers and on the glass, if we do a better job, we’re not talking about a close game like that.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com
