Las Vegas— Tonight’s NBA In-Season Tournament final is a clash between two teams and star players positioned at opposite ends of the age spectrum. For the Indiana Pacers and their 23-year-old All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, this tournament has been a platform for national recognition after thriving in rhetoric relative obscurity of Indiana up until now.

On the other side, 38-year-old LeBron James, despite debates about the “big game” label, has approached the tournament with seriousness, showing off his prowess for big matchups. James demonstrated a Game 7 effort and level of focus in the semifinal win over the Pelicans.

The outcome of the NBA In-Season Tournament will either add to the Lakers’ rich history with more hardware or mark a historic NBA crown of sorts for the Indiana Pacers, a franchise with a legacy from its ABA days that fell short in its sole NBA Finals appearance in 2000 against no other than the Lakers.

Both the Indiana Pacers and the Los Angeles Lakers, positioned above the play-in games in their respective conference standings, have outperformed expectations in the In-Season Tournament.

The Lakers have been with three wins by at least 27 points each, leading all teams this season. The Pacers have not been as quite as dominant, but have managed impressive victories against the top Eastern Conference teams.

Notably, hot shooting, particularly a league-leading 45% from 3-point range for the Lakers, has been a key factor in the tournament. Conversely, the Pacers have even a defensive stalwart, limiting opponents to 35% from three-point range compared to a 41% in other games this season.

Can The Lakers Stop The Pacers?

The knockout rounds of the in-season tournament defy the notion that the game slows down in the playoffs. Despite Indiana’s relatively low point totals this season, the Pacers’ two recent wins featured 104 possessions per 48 minutes, matching their league-leading season average.

Thanks to impressive 3-point shooting, Indiana’s already efficient offense has improved, scoring 127.4 points per 100 possessions in the tournament, up from 123.5 in regular-season games.

Haliburton played a pivotal role, delivering outstanding performances, combining for 53 points and 28 assists in two knockout games without a turnover. While Davis provides a defensive challenge, the Lakers will need to slow down Haliburton in the pick-and-roll. The Lakers will face a test against the Pacers’ transition offense, which excels in adding points on the break, an area where the Lakers have struggled at times recently.

“Tournament Lebron” Leading Lakers

Over the years, we’ve witnessed the phenomenon of “Playoff LeBron,” dominating in the NBA postseason. While now we have “Tournament LeBron,” not quite as catchy but proving to be for real. Although unlikely to garner fifth regular-season MVP at this career stage, he’s a strong contender for the NBA In-Season Tournament MVP, if the Lakers win on Saturday evening.

Thursday, James’ impressive stats, including the lowest minutes for a 30-5-5 game since 1951-52, showcased his impactful play. His strategic moves, including taking charges on Zion Williamson, set the tone for the Lakers. In the upcoming final, if LeBron maintains his top-tier performance, it bodes well for the Lakers, especially with their deep roster of impact players healthy.

The Lakers’ bench, featuring Austin Reaves and Jarred Vanderbilt, is too strong for Indiana’s second unit. The wildcard lies in how Darvin Ham manages his star players’ workload for the win, with LeBron’s lighter load on Thursday and two days off indicating a Game 7 approach to tonight. Playing Tournament Lebron for 40 minutes could tip the scales in the Lakers’ favor.

Tune in at 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN2/ESPN app. For More on NBA follow @vinquezada1 on X

By: Vincent Quezada

Photo Credit: ClutchPoints.com

#NBA #InSeasonTournament #LasVegas #LakeShow #BoomTown

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