(Las Vegas) Anthony Davis scored 41 points, setting a career high this season, then added 20 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers won the first NBA intraseason tournament on Saturday, defeating the Los Angeles Pacers Indiana 123-109.
Davis made 16 of his 24 shots and also assisted on five baskets from his teammates.
Austin Reaves had 28 points. Named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, LeBron James had 24 points and 11 steals. D’Angelo Russell had 13 points.
When commissioner Adam Silver presented James with the award, he warned him that the MVP award didn’t come with an expansion team.
James had a good laugh, but he’s serious about his idea of bringing an expansion team to Las Vegas.
“My excitement about being here after my career and bringing a team here hasn’t changed,” James said. The fans are incredible here. They already have everything: the WNBA team, they have a baseball team [Okland Athletics] coming soon, the NFL team, the hockey team, Formula 1. It’s a place who loves big attractions, and I think the NBA will be another great addition to this city. »
Quebecer Bennedict Mathurin did well in the defeat, allowing the Pacers to score 20 points. Tyrese Haliburton also contributed 20 points, adding 11 assists. Aaron Nesmith scored 15 points.
This game was the only one in the tournament that didn’t count toward the NBA’s regular season standings, but there was still a lot on the line. In addition to winning a trophy, Lakers players on regular contracts all won. earned US$500,000, while those of the Pacers got their hands on checks for $200,000.
Players with two-way pacts got their hands on half of these sums.
Although the stakes were lower than in the playoffs, the mood was no different in this finale, as the crowd in Las Vegas seemed to lean towards the Lakers.
James thus adds another trophy to his collection, having won four NBA titles. He made no secret that he wanted to win this tournament.
In facing the Pacers, the Lakers faced a team with a similar level of energy led by an emerging NBA star. Haliburton has become a familiar face during this tournament, but the Lakers covered him well on Saturday.
Cam Reddish did the majority of the defensive coverage at the expense of Haliburton, who had to pass the ball rather than try to force things.
“[Reddish] didn’t score a lot [nine points], but I felt like he was one of the best players on the floor with the way he played defensively. It really changed the game,” Reaves said.
The Lakers led for most of the game. The Pacers stayed within striking distance until the California club went on a 15-3 run in the fourth quarter to extend their lead from four points to 16.