LeBron, Lakers Defense Anchor 106-103 Win Over Suns, Reach In-Season Tournament Semi-Finals

The Lakers, playing in their first ever In-Season Tournament quarterfinal, had a lot to think about Tuesday at the Crypt. There's the chance to punch a ticket to Vegas and a semi-final matchup against the Pelicans - something guys are a lot more into than most fans/media anticipated. There was the significance of a LeBron James/Kevin Durant matchup on national TV, something we haven't had nearly enough of over the last few years, and something that definitionally can't happen that much longer. And there was the chance for the Lakers to clinch the season series against Phoenix, which could become very valuable later in the year.

Turns out, all of that was in play. The game had a playoff intensity, and after James noted that the team is taking the opportunity to play for something, because the opportunity is there. You have a chance to compete, go compete. James (31/8/11/5) vs. Durant (31/7/4) absolutely lived up to the hype. And the Lakers got that potentially meaningful win, 106-103.

There was a ton for Lakers fans to like about this one, but beyond James (and clutch shooting from Austin Reaves, and a big first half from Anthony Davis) what kept the Lakers on top was their defense. Not coincidentally, it was a game where Darvin Ham had as full a complement of players as he'll get for a while (no clue when Gabe Vincent comes back). But the Lakers now have wings. So many wings. Wings Ham can deploy in different situations against different lineups, in combinations that shade a little towards offense, or more heavily to defense.

He has real optionality, which is all coaches want.

How he experiments with what's available to him over the next couple of weeks will be interesting to watch.

Meanwhile, did the refs blow a critical call late in favor of the Lakers? Suns fans probably believe so, but if that's the case, the Lakers would have a gripe, too.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: VEGAS, BABY! The Lakers beat Phoenix, earn a ticket to Las Vegas.

SEGMENT 2: LeBron was fantastic, the Lakers defense was also fantastic-er. (Or at the least, in a fantastic tie with LBJ.)

SEGMENT 3: Reaves with a clutch shot. Defensive combos for Darvin.

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