LeBron James scored 15 of his 31 factors within the fourth quarter, and the Los Angeles Lakers secured the final semifinal spot within the inaugural NBA In-Season Event with a 106-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday evening.
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 bought a few of the most alpha male rivals on the earth, and in the event you give us a chance to play for one thing significant or an incentive, then you definitely get what you’re getting,” mentioned James, who additionally racked up 11 assists, eight rebounds and 5 steals. “The In-Season Event is what it’s, and we’ve got a chance to play on an enormous stage, be on nationwide tv, signify our households, our communities, the place 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 he badly missed an extended 3-point try on the buzzer for the Suns. Phoenix had received eight of 10 earlier than dropping to Los Angeles for the third time already this season.
Devin Booker minimize 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 had been left livid when officers granted James’ request for a timeout whereas the ball gave the impression to be free as a result of Booker had knocked it away from Reaves an immediate earlier.
“It’s a free ball, and you’ll’t name a timeout on a free ball,” Phoenix coach Frank Vogel mentioned. “The whistle blows. I don’t know why. Every little thing within the league is reviewable. I don’t know why that may’t be reviewable. … We bought the lure, we bought the turnover, (and the) rattling whistle blows. It’s simply irritating.”
Reaves mentioned he thought Booker in all probability fouled him an immediate earlier than the timeout was granted.
“There was no name, and LeBron made a high-IQ play he’s made one million occasions,” Reaves mentioned.
Durant didn’t share his coach’s anger concerning the name, saying he didn’t initially consider the ball was free when the timeout was granted.
“That’s not the ballgame,” Durant mentioned. “That’s one play. It’s a 48-minute recreation. I don’t prefer to complain about calls. Typically the ref ain’t going to get it proper on a regular basis. Typically it’s on us to play by means of all that stuff and never fear about placing the sport within the ref’s arms.”
Davis was ultimately fouled, however he missed certainly 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 match, together with a win Nov. 10 in Phoenix. The Suns rebounded from that setback to earn a wild-card spot within the knockout spherical.
Whereas followers are nonetheless debating the deserves of the In-Season Event, each Vogel and Lakers coach Darvin Ham mentioned their gamers are moving into the spirit of the occasion, significantly with the motivation to earn monetary bonuses for his or her groups’ assist personnel and youthful gamers.
“They’re properly conscious of that bag,” Ham mentioned with a smile. “Cash 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 hassle. 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, essentially the most by any staff 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 sufficient early within the recreation,” Vogel mentioned. “The turnovers and on the glass, if we do a greater job, we’re not speaking a few shut recreation like that.”