The Los Angeles Lakers are the NBA’s inaugural In-Season
Tournament champions.
On Saturday night, the Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers,
123-109, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to earn the NBA
Cup and a $500,000 prize for every player on their roster.
LeBron James was named the In-Season Tournament MVP after
contributing 24 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals, while
shooting 47.6% from the field. Anthony Davis dominated in his 41
minutes, finishing with 41 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists and 4
blocks, while shooting 66.7% from the field. Also, Austin Reaves
scored an efficient 28 points in 28 minutes off the bench.
Tyrese Haliburton, who was terrific throughout the tournament,
led the Pacers with 20 points, 11 assists, a steal and a block in
the losing effort. He shot 57.1% from the field, but struggled from
long range (hitting just 2-of-8 three-point attempts).
Neither the Lakers nor Pacers had lost an In-Season Tournament
game prior to the championship matchup.
Los Angeles currently has the fourth-best record (14-9) in the
Western Conference. The Lakers boast the NBA’s ninth-best defense
(allowing 108.8 points per 100 possessions) and 23rd-ranked offense
(scoring 109 points per 100 possessions).
