The Los Angeles Lakers will play in the NBA In-Season Tournament Semifinals in Las Vegas after defeating the Phoenix Suns 106–103.
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Teams captained by LeBron James and Kevin Durant both scored 31 points in a game that was decided by the last second shot.
Phoenix didn’t have the best possible start, trailing 33–23 after 12 minutes and committing 10 turnovers in the first quarter. Jusuf Nurkic, who had fouled out in the previous two games as well, was put to the bench after picking up two early fouls.
Despite Phoenix cutting their advantage to four points and the Lakers going into a shooting slump, the Suns committed too many turnovers and trailed 59-47 at halftime. Los Angeles not only made Phoenix commit 14 turnovers in the first half, but they also grabbed 12 offensive rebounds.
The Suns gained a brief advantage against the Lakers in the third quarter after faltering in the first two quarters and going on a 14-0 run. The Lakers had taken the lead again, 83–82, at the end of the quarter.
Devin Booker and Kevin Durant should watch for foul trouble in the fourth quarter. With less than ten minutes remaining, both Durant (4) and Booker (5) came dangerously close to fouling out of the game.
LeBron scored two baskets in a row to give the Lakers a five-point advantage with two minutes and twenty seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, despite the fact that both teams swapped blows in the closing seconds.
Booker made a layup with thirty seconds left to give the Lakers a 101-101 lead, but Austin Reaves answered with a three-pointer to make it 105-101.
With seconds remaining, Durant had a chance to win the game with a three-point shot, but he missed.
Despite committing 22 mistakes in the game, Los Angeles only shot 37 percent on field goals.
The Lakers move to the quarterfinals of the in-season tournament on Thursday, and the Suns will play a consolation game on Friday.