Lakers Vegas-bound for IST semifinals
The Lakers are headed to Las Vegas after defeating the Phoenix Suns 106-103 in the quarterfinals of the NBA In-Season Tournament, behind big performances from LeBron James and Anthony Davis, to advance to the semifinals.
In a back-and-forth battle with 14 lead changes and 11 ties, the Lakers found a way to come out on top in the final minutes despite shooting a season-low 37.3% from the field.
The Lakers had a solid 12-point lead heading into halftime but surrendered that margin after a 35–24 third-quarter run to go into the fourth quarter with just a one-point lead at 83–82.
LeBron assisted on the first 19 points scored for the Lakers in the fourth quarter, as he finished with 11 assists.
“No disrespect to anyone, but he’s the best quarterback in the league,” head coach Darvin Ham said.
The 38-year-old finished tied with Suns Kevin Durant for a game-high 31 points, with 8 rebounds and 5 steals in 40 minutes played.
According to ESPN Stats Info, LeBron became the oldest player with five steals in a game since the stat became official in 1973–74.
“Father Time, for so long, everybody has been saying he’s undefeated. So I’m just trying to hand him one loss,” LeBron said.
Davis finished second in scoring for the Lakers with 27 points and a game-high 15 rebounds in 38 minutes of action.
Austin Reaves big moment came at the right time for Los Angeles, knocking down a clutch three with 15 seconds remaining to give them the four-point lead and close the game out.
“He’s made countless big shots for us. We trust him. We have a lot of confidence in him,” Reaves said.
Reaves scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half to help push the Vegas-bound win.
The Lakers will face the New Orleans Pelicans at 6 p.m. on Thursday at T-Mobile Arena for the IST Western semifinals matchup. The West victor will face the winner of the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers semis in the East.
