LeBron James, scored an impressive total of 31 points in the game, with almost half of them, 15 points, being scored in the crucial fourth quarter. This significant contribution from James was instrumental in the Lakers’ victory over the Phoenix Suns with a close scoreline of 106-103. Lakers ensured their place in the semifinals of the inaugural NBA in-season tournament on Tuesday night.
“The Suns didn’t get robbed. Who’s to say Phoenix was going to win the game?”
@keyshawn reacts to the controversial ending to Suns vs. Lakers pic.twitter.com/tltYUuH18y
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) December 6, 2023
Anthony Davis scoring an impressive 27 points and securing 15 rebounds. His performance was complemented by Austin Reaves, who contributed a significant 20 points to the team’s total. This collective effort led the Lakers to victory, setting them up for their next challenge against New Orleans. This exciting match is scheduled for Thursday and will take place in the vibrant city of Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, Milwaukee is gearing up to face Indiana in the semifinal.
The culmination of these thrilling matches will be the championship game, scheduled for Saturday. The stakes are high as the winner will not only earn the bragging rights but also take home the coveted NBA Cup.
@TNT LOOK HOW BAD THIS @NBAOfficial this game is rigged from the start. it suns vs lakers and refs! no wonder ratings evry year is going down. y'all rigged! shame! @nba #sunsvslakers https://t.co/FEIOHSA4gt
— ace (@ariesv0804) December 6, 2023
LeBron James, shared his thoughts on the competitive nature of the tournament. He said, “In this arena, you’ll find some of the most dominant competitors globally. When you provide us with a chance to compete for something meaningful or offer an incentive, you get the level of performance you’re witnessing now.”
James contributed 11 assists, securing 8 rebounds, and making 5 steals in the game.
“The in-season tournament is a unique opportunity for us. It allows us to perform on a grand stage, be in the national spotlight, and represent our families, our communities, and our roots.” He further added.
LeBron James, the seasoned veteran with 21 years of experience in the game, demonstrated a masterclass in shooting during the crucial final moments of the match. He single-handedly took control of the game, scoring an impressive 15 points out of the Lakers’ first 19 in the last quarter. He also played a pivotal role in setting up his teammates, assisting them in scoring two additional baskets.
Kevin Durant, scoring an impressive 31 points. However, despite his commendable performance, he unfortunately missed a crucial 3-point attempt at the buzzer while playing for the Suns.
Phoenix had been on a winning streak, securing victories in 8 out of their last 10 games. However, this game marked their loss to Los Angeles, a team they had already faced defeat against twice in the current season. This was the third time the Suns were bested by Los Angeles, adding another loss to their record.
Devin Booker, made a significant contribution. With just 29 seconds left on the clock, reducing the Lakers’ lead to a mere one point, making the score 102-101.
Reaves, With only 15 seconds remaining, he made a decisive move. He successfully scored his third 3-pointer of the game, further extending the Lakers’ lead.
Kevin Durant, managed to score another layup. This added more points to the Suns’ tally, intensifying the competition. A controversial incident occurred shortly after that left the Suns’ team and their supporters in a state of frustration and disbelief.
After James, requested a timeout. The bone of contention was that the ball seemed to be loose at the time of the timeout request. Just an instant before James’ request, Devin Booker, from the Suns, had managed to knock the ball away from Reaves.
“It’s a loose ball, and you can’t call a timeout on a loose ball,” Phoenix coach Frank Vogel said. “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 said he thought Booker probably fouled him an instant before the timeout was granted.
“There was no call, and LeBron made a high-IQ play he’s made a million times,” Reaves said.
Kevin Durant, had a different perspective on the controversial timeout incident. Unlike his coach, who was visibly upset about the call, Durant maintained a more composed stance. He stated that he did not initially perceive the ball to be loose when the timeout was granted.
“That’s not the ballgame,” Durant said. “That’s one play. It’s a 48-minute game. I don’t like to complain about calls. Sometimes the ref ain’t 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.”
The Phoenix show a commendable performance. The spotlight was on two of their players, Booker and Grayson Allen. Both of them had an exceptional game, each contributing 21 points to the team’s total score.
The Los Angeles Lakers demonstrated their dominance in the inaugural tournament by securing the top seed in the Western Conference. Their journey to the top was marked by an unbeaten streak in the group stage. A notable highlight of this impressive run was their victory on November 10 in Phoenix.
On the other hand, the Phoenix Suns displayed resilience and determination. Despite suffering a setback with the loss to the Lakers in the group stage, they managed to bounce back strongly. They turned their fortunes around and secured a wild-card spot in the knockout round.
The in-season tournament has sparked a lively debate among fans, with opinions divided on its merits. However, both Vogel and Lakers coach Darvin Ham have observed a positive response from their players.
These bonuses are not just for the players themselves, but also for the support personnel and younger players in their teams.
“They’re well aware of that bag,” Ham said with a grin. “Money speaks, man.”
The Suns faced a significant challenge in their recent game, with Bradley Beal, one of their key players, missing his 11th consecutive game due to a persistent back injury.
However, the team was plagued by a high number of turnovers, committing 22 in total. This, coupled with foul trouble for their two healthy superstars, added to the team’s struggles. Booker, one of the Suns’ main offensive threats, picked up his fifth foul early in the fourth quarter.
Similarly, Durant, another superstar on the team, entered the final period with four fouls and committed his fifth with just 3:18 left to play.
The Phoenix had a shaky start, committing as many as 10 turnovers in just the first quarter. This was the highest number of turnovers by any team in a single quarter throughout the current season, indicating a significant lapse in their offensive strategy. Despite this setback, the Suns demonstrated remarkable resilience and strategic adjustments.
In the first half of the game, they found themselves trailing by a substantial 15 points.
The Suns made an impressive comeback, scoring 14 consecutive points right out of halftime. This scoring spree not only helped them erase the deficit but also allowed them to take the lead in the game.
“We didn’t do enough early in the game,” Vogel said. “The turnovers and on the glass, if we do a better job, we’re not talking about a close game like that.”
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