The Los Angeles’s Lakers made a statement with their third win over Phoenix this season, clinching victory in the IST quarterfinal.
In Los Angeles, LeBron James played a crucial role in the Lakers’ 106-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns. He scored 31 points, with 15 of them coming in the fourth quarter. This win secured the Lakers’ place in the semifinals of the new NBA in-season tournament.
Anthony Davis had an impressive performance, scoring 27 points and securing 15 rebounds. Austin Reaves added 20 points for the Lakers, who are the top-seeded team. They are scheduled to play against New Orleans on Thursday in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, in the East semifinal, Milwaukee will compete against Indiana. The championship game, set for Saturday, will determine the winner of the NBA Cup.
Kevin Durant delivered an impressive performance, making 12 out of 17 shots and scoring 31 points. Despite missing a game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer, his contribution was notable. Both Devin Booker and Grayson Allen also played well, each scoring 21 points. The Lakers secured a victory, advancing to the IST semifinals.
Lakers VS Suns First Half Match Highlights
Phoenix Suns had a strong start in the game, shooting well, but faced challenges with ball control, committing early turnovers—a recurring issue in their previous matchups with the Lakers, averaging 18.1 turnovers per game this season.
As anticipated in the game preview, the Lakers strategically targeted Jusuf Nurkic, aiming to put him in foul trouble. This tactic proved successful as Nurkic accumulated two early fouls, resulting in the Suns conceding 4 points off turnovers.
Taking advantage of this situation, Anthony Davis (AD) played a key role, scoring 14 points as the Lakers focused on penetrating the Suns’ defense. In the first quarter, the Lakers totaled 20 points in the paint.
The Suns encountered challenges in keeping possession of the ball during the first quarter, resulting in ten turnovers. They successfully made nine field goals in the same period.
Throughout the first half, the Lakers played aggressively, keeping the Suns on the defensive. This aggressive play carried into the second half, with Los Angeles consistently dominating the boards, seeking to secure extra chances to score.
There was a concerning incident early in the game when Jackson Hayes, a player known for playing somewhat aggressively, dove for a ball and unintentionally rolled up on Devin Booker’s ankles.
When LeBron James returned to the game, the Lakers saw an improvement in their defensive efforts and offensive rebounding. This resulted in a 10-0 run by Los Angeles, putting the Suns at a 14-point deficit.
Despite the Lakers shooting only 40% in the first half, their 12 offensive rebounds and 16 points from 14 turnovers by the Suns, combined with Anthony Davis (AD) scoring an impressive 20 points, led to a 12-point halftime lead with a score of 59-47. Devin Booker had 5 turnovers and scored 8 points, while Grayson Allen led the Suns with 10 points.
Lakers VS Suns Second Half Match Highlights
The Phoenix Suns had a strong start in the second half, scoring the first 14 points, with significant contributions from Grayson Allen, who added eight points, including two three-pointers. This effort narrowed the Lakers’ lead to just two points, making the game more competitive.
As the third quarter unfolded, both Phoenix and Los Angeles engaged in a fast-paced exchange of baskets and leads. Notable moments included a three-pointer from EG and a response from Max Christie.
However, Devin Booker faced challenges in the third quarter, struggling with his shooting. He made 4 out of 12 attempts, had 5 assists, but also committed 6 turnovers.
Austin Reaves energized the Crypto.com Arena crowd with impressive shots, scoring from a distance and on putbacks. He contributed 17 points off the bench, with 13 of them coming in the third quarter. His dynamic play boosted the Lakers in the later part of the game.
Phoenix staged a strong comeback in the third quarter, narrowing a 12-point deficit to just 1 point. The score stood at LA 83, PHX 82.
Foul trouble became a concern in the fourth quarter. Devin Booker received his fifth foul with 9:37 left, and the game was tied at 87-87. This forced Kevin Durant, who also had four fouls, to return to the game.
Towards the end of the game, the Suns changed their strategy against LeBron. Instead of allowing him to play one-on-one and use his strength, they had two defenders go after him during mid-post isolations. As the shot clock was running down, LeBron had to pass the ball, reducing his effectiveness. This led to the Lakers having to take challenging shots or facing shot clock violations.
Trailing 102-99 with less than a minute left, the Suns aimed to intentionally foul during a fast break but were unable to do so. Nevertheless, Devin Booker successfully scored a layup, bringing the score to 102-101. In response, the Lakers secured a three-pointer from Austin Reaves. Phoenix attempted to force a turnover with Reaves, but the officials granted a timeout to the Lakers, even though Reaves had briefly fumbled the ball.