Vegas Vibes: Lakers & Pacers Shine

12/08/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Pacers Outrun Bucks (128-119), Lakers Demolish Pelicans (133-89) to Set Up NBA Cup Final of Speed vs. Experience

And then there were two! The final of the first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament is set, and it’s the youth movement from Indiana against the King and Los Angeles. The Pacers out-paced the Bucks in Thursday’s first semi-final clash thanks to another breakout performance from Tyrese Haliburton. But the nightcap was more one-sided as LeBron James (30-8-5) led an all-out assault against the Pelicans. It’ll be youth and speed against experience and wisdom in the NBA Cup finale. Let’s do some semi-final recaps:

East: Pacers def. Bucks (128-119)

The early game on Thursday in Vegas featured the East favorites from Milwaukee and those pesky, fast-paced Indiana guys. Tyrese Haliburton (27 points, 15 assists, 7 rebounds, and ZERO turnovers) led the Pacers to their sixth straight win in the In-Season Tournament (6-0). It’s the second-straight game with a double-double and no turnovers for Haliburton. He’s quickly becoming a bonafide star in the IST. Indiana weathered a 37-point night from Giannis Antetokounmpo and 24 from Damian Lillard. The Bucks led by 1 entering the 4th quarter, but the Pacers outscored the Bucks by a dozen in the final frame to advance.

West: Lakers def. Pelicans (133-89)

LeBron James is about to turn 39 and he’s still as dominant as ever. James (30 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds) led a second-quarter surge that helped L.A. pull away by double figures. The lead ballooned in the 3rd quarter with the Lakers outscoring the Pels by 26 (43-17). The Pelicans simply had no offensive rhythm. LeBron nearly outscored their Big 3 on his own — Zion Williamson (13 points), Brandon Ingram (9 points) and C.J. McCollum (9 points).

Set a reminder. It’s Lakers vs. Pacers tomorrow night for the first-ever NBA Cup!

NBA In-Season Tournament Final

Lakers vs. Pacers (Sat. 8:30 pm ET, ABC)

Athletic: Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers ‘Shocking the World’ After Ousting Bucks in NBA In-Season Tournament

Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images