After weeks of competitions between the finest teams in the league, only two teams remained standing in the first ever NBA In-Season Tournament in 2023/2024, that are, the Los Angeles Lakers from the Western Conference and the Indiana Pacers from the Eastern Conference. The 17-time NBA champions Lakers defeated their Semifinal opponents New Orleans Pelicans with ease earlier today, while Pacers edged out Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks in their own Semifinal fixture. Let us take a look at how these teams progressed to the Final in their respective journeys.
Lakers’ Path to the NBA In-Season Tournament Final
If you have been following the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, then you will know how formidable Lakers have been in the tournament. Led by LeBron James, Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell, the Purple and Gold completed four victories over the Phoenix Suns, the Utah Jazz, the Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Grizzlies during the group stage as well as a couple of wins over the Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans Pelicans in the knockout round. These victories allowed them to top the West Group A and stay perfect in the NBA In-Season Tournament.
During the game against the Pelicans, King James showed why he is still one of the most dominant players in the league despite entering his 21st year in the NBA, dropping 30 points, eight assists and five rebounds in only 23 minutes played in the NBA In-Season Tournament. The all-time scoring leader of the NBA was winged by Davis, Russell, Taurean Prince, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, who each had double digits in points in the game, leading the 17-time NBA winners defeat their enemies with ease in a lopsided score line of 133-89.
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Pacers’ Path to the NBA In-Season Tournament Final
In the other half of the NBA In-Season Tournament, the Indiana Pacers also put on the same record as their Final opponents on Saturday, winning all six of their games en route to the finale. The current sixth seed of the Eastern Conference beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Atlanta Hawks and the Detroit Pistons to top the East Group A, before they overcame another 17-time NBA champions Boston Celtics as well as the Bucks in the elimination round.
Tyrese Haliburton is certainly Pacers’ hero of late, especially in the NBA In-Season Tournament. Regarded one of the most in-form pure point guards at the moment, the 23-year-old no. 12 pick back in the 2020 NBA Draft dropped a double-double of 27 points and 15 assists against Bucks, and complemented by his seven assists in the game, Haliburton’s all-around abilities led the Pacers defeat the Bucks by only a single-digit margin of 9 points.
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Our Bold Prediction for the NBA In-Season Tournament Final
The first ever NBA In-Season Tournament Final between the Lakers and the Pacers at T-Mobile Arena is set to be a great one. Not only that two of the most in-form and invincible teams are going up against each other, we will also be witnessing how a 38-year-old LeBron can fend off the challenge thrown by the young point guard Haliburton.
As for our very own forecast, we would like to think that with his hunger to collect as much accolades and trophies in the final chapters of his playing career, LeBron will be leading his side to take home the first NBA In-Season Championship Final win. Nevertheless, do let us know about your take in the finale between the Lakers and the Pacers down in the comment section below now.
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🏆 THE CHAMPIONSHIP IS SET 🏆
One game to decide who wins the #NBACup!
The Pacers and Lakers will meet in the first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament Championship Saturday at 8:30pm/et on ABC! pic.twitter.com/qMfkX9WPrN
— NBA (@NBA) December 8, 2023
