NBA Cup: Bucks & Lakers Join the Fun

12/06/2023 NBA Cup: Bucks & Lakers Join the Fun

By: Jeff Yoder

Bucks Roll Knicks (146-122) & Lakers Hold Off Suns (106-103) to Reach NBA In-Season Tournament Semifinals

One blowout and one thriller, and then there were four. The Bucks smashed the Knicks and the Lakers held off the Suns on Tuesday night to fill out the next round of the NBA In-Season Tournament. The excitement of the inaugural event hasn’t dwindled, but Vegas awaits. It’s Bucks-Pacers and Lakers-Pelicans this weekend. Let’s rewind last night:

 

East: Bucks def. Knicks (146-122)

The Bucks obliterated the NBA’s best defense with 146 points in a second-half runaway. Milwaukee weathered a storm from Julius Randle (41 pts) who had 25 in the first half. The Bucks outscored the Knicks 71-50 in the second half, and Giannis put together a dominant, stat-stuffing 35-10-8 night on 15-for-22 shooting. It’ll be Bucks-Pacers in the In-Season Tournament semi-finals tomorrow night in Las Vegas.

 

Stats

J. Randle (NYK): 41 pts, 5 asts, 6 rebs

G. Antetokounmo (MIL): 35 pts, 10 asts, 8 rebs, 3 stls

D. Lillard (MIL): 28 pts, 7 asts, 3 rebs, 3 stls

J. Brunson (NYK): 24 pts, 6 asts, 3 rebs

 

West: Lakers def. Suns (106-103)

The ageless LeBron James continues to amaze. The Suns went into Los Angeles last night and played from behind for nearly 48 minutes, and LeBron just wouldn’t surrender. LBJ packaged a 31-11-8 night with five steals while shooting nearly 50 percent from the floor. Anthony Davis added 27 points and 15 boards, and the Lakers held off a second-half spurt from Phoenix. L.A. also got a “generous” timeout call in the waning seconds that might’ve saved them from a game-changing turnover. Kevin Durant (31 points) got a look at a game-tying 3, but it fell short for an airball. It’s the Lake Show against the Pelicans in Vegas tomorrow.

 

Stats

L. James (LAL): 31 pts, 11 asts, 8 rebs, 5 stls

K. Durant (PHX): 31 pts, 4 asts, 7 rebs

A. Davis (LAL): 27 pts, 15 rebs, 2 blks

 

IST Schedule in Las Vegas (Semi-finals)

East: Pacers vs. Bucks (Thurs. 5:00 pm ET, ESPN)

West: Pelicans vs. Lakers (Thurs. 9:00 pm ET, TNT)

 

NBA IST Finals: Saturday (8:30 pm ET, ABC)

 

Read More

AP: LeBron James Leads Lakers to In-Season Tournament Semifinals

Athletic: Bucks, Giannis Blow Past Knicks & Into In-Season Tournament Semifinals

 

Photo: Stacy Revere / Getty Images