{"id":59562,"date":"2023-12-07T10:24:56","date_gmt":"2023-12-07T15:24:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=59562"},"modified":"2023-12-07T10:27:02","modified_gmt":"2023-12-07T15:27:02","slug":"four-keys-for-the-lakers-in-the-in-season-tournament-semifinals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/12\/07\/four-keys-for-the-lakers-in-the-in-season-tournament-semifinals\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Keys for the Lakers in the In-Season Tournament Semifinals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Coming off of their gritty win over the Phoenix Suns in the Quarterfinals, the Lakers have prepared to take on the Pelicans in the In-Season Tournament Semis, hoping to keep their luck going in Las Vegas.<\/span><\/p>\n

With momentum on their side, here are four keys for the purple and gold in tonight\u2019s matchup.<\/span><\/p>\n

Four Keys for the Lakers in the In-Season Tournament Semifinals<\/b><\/h2>\n

LeBron Continuing His Streak Against Father Time<\/b><\/h3>\n

LeBron James<\/b><\/a> continues to defy Father Time<\/span><\/a> in year 21. In LA\u2019s Quarterfinal victory, James recorded 31 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and five steals\u2014the <\/span>first Laker<\/span><\/a> to put up those numbers since <\/span>Magic Johnson<\/b><\/a> in 1987. A near-39-year-old who\u2019s putting up 24.7 PPG, 7.6 RPG and 6.6 APG on .546\/.387\/.697 splits is unheard of. James recently said he <\/span>wants to defeat Father Time<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

“I give myself an opportunity to, I guess, surprise myself still what I’m able to do for as long as I’ve been in this league and for as many miles as I’ve put on these tires. I wanna continue to defy the odds, continue to have this battle with Father Time that for so long everybody said has been undefeated. Trying to give it one loss.”<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

James\u2019s ability to lead the offense\u2014both in scoring and facilitating\u2014has been a major factor as to why the Lakers have risen to fourth in the West. Though there may be some nights where <\/span>Anthony Davis<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>D\u2019Angelo Russell<\/b><\/a> or <\/span>Austin Reaves<\/b><\/a> break out, the focus is still very much on LeBron at the end of the day. His success is possible through the fact that the Lakers have built an excellent team around him. At the same time, James has given as much as he\u2019s received, with his ability to find open teammates at the right times and implement strategies like it\u2019s nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

LeBron\u2019s scintillating scoring coupled with the high-hoops IQ have been the driving forces behind LA\u2019s run against standout competitors at every stage of the In-Season Tournament. Now, he\u2019ll look to continue making strides against New Orleans, a team he averaged 22.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists against last season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anthony Davis Revenge Game<\/b><\/h3>\n

Speaking of Anthony Davis, he\u2019s had the Pelicans’ number after the way his tenure ended in the Big Easy. In four games against NOLA last year, AD averaged 29.3 points, 14.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists on .584\/.375\/.828 splits. This season, AD is putting up 23 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.8 blocks per game\u2014making a serious case to collect some hardware at season\u2019s end.<\/span><\/p>\n

For now, Davis must continue asserting his dominance. He\u2019s made his mark on the defensive end, which will be crucial against the Pels\u2019 front court of Williamson, <\/span>Brandon Ingram<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Jonas Valanciunas<\/b><\/a>. Limiting New Orleans\u2019 points in the paint\u2014of which they average 52.5 per game\u2014is a must. Additionally, AD must remain active on the glass. Judging by the fact he\u2019s collected 189 of LA\u2019s defensive rebounds so far (26%), that shouldn\u2019t be a problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

Offensively, Davis will have to feast near the basket, as the Pelicans have given up an average of 47.6 points in the paint (11th in the NBA). Davis boasts a two-point field goal percentage of 54.2%, and his ability to score on his own or from teammates will be essential against a smart, strong Pelican defense. Like James, AD will also need to make plays from time to time. His ability to find open teammates and send defenses into scramble mode is an underrated aspect to watch tonight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Austin Reaves and the Lakers\u2019 Bench<\/b><\/h3>\n

Austin Reaves<\/b><\/a> has been a revelation in his newfound sixth man role. Now facing a Pelicans squad without two key bench contributors\u2014former Lakers <\/span>Larry Nance Jr.<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Matt Ryan<\/b><\/a>\u2014he has a chance to run the scoreboard up once again. Reaves recorded 20 points on 6\/11 shooting from the field\u2014including a dagger three\u2014against Phoenix on Tuesday. In 14 games leading the second unit, he put up 14.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG and 4.9 APG. He also shot 49% from the field, 34% from distance and 88% from the free-throw line.<\/span><\/p>\n

Following the win over Phoenix, Head Coach Darvin Ham heaped <\/span>well-deserved praise<\/span><\/a> on Reaves:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Austin is a big-time player. It’s the reason we wanted him here, for the present and the future. Everybody saw what he did to finish the year last year, what he did for Team USA. He’s just grown and grown and grown. He thrives on those moments, those big moments where it’s getting a big stop, making a pass, making a big shot, drawing fouls at key moments. He’s just a big-time player flat out. And he saved us a little bit tonight.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Reaves is the bright spot for a Lakers bench putting up 30.2 PPG (21st in the NBA), 15.4 RPG (13th) and 6.6 APG (20th). The group has also been inefficient shooting-wise, posting marks of 44% from the field, 27% from three and 74% from the line. The numbers may be poor right now due to the recent wave of injuries, and the ramp-ups of <\/span>Jarred Vanderbilt<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Rui Hachimura<\/b><\/a> will help them greatly. Still, Reaves has found his groove as the man leading the Lakers\u2019 bench. Entering the semis with unwavering confidence is a great sign for him and the rest of the team.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jarred Vanderbilt and the Little Things<\/b><\/h3>\n

Finally, one of the tenets of a winning roster is their ability to do the little things. Jarred Vanderbilt has been the walking example of that for the Lakers. Returning from a heel injury, Vando jumped right in to contribute to winning basketball. He recently recorded six rebounds, two assists and a steal against the Suns in 14 minutes of action. What wasn\u2019t tracked, however, was his impact on defensive rotations:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Just watch Jarred Vanderbilt. <\/p>\n

This is who the Lakers significantly missed pic.twitter.com\/wH4caRlpjn<\/a><\/p>\n

— Nicole Ganglani (@nicoleganglani) December 6, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n