The NBA in-season tournament quarter-finals concluded Tuesday with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers joining the Pacers and the Pelicans in the Final-4. The Bucks dismantled the Knicks 122-146 behind Giannis Antetokounmpo 35 points.
The “Greek Freak” also added 10 assists and 8 rebounds, while fellow Bucks’ superstar Damian Lillard scored 28. Milwaukee shot 60.5% from deep and 60.4% overall to set a semi-final clash against the Indiana Pacers on December 7.
That was the 10th win in the last 12 games for Milwaukee which improved to an 5-0 record in the NBA in-season tournament.
In Los Angeles, the Suns came close to the win but LeBron James scored 15 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter to push the Lakers to a 106-103 narrow victory. Anthony Davis added 27 for the winners, while Austin Reaves had 20.
Devin Booker cut the lead to 101-102 with 29 seconds remaining but Reaves answered back with a 3. After Durant made another layup moments later, the Suns were left furious when officials granted James’ request for a timeout while the ball appeared to be loose.
Davis was fooled in the next sequence but missed 1-of-2 of his free throws opening the way for Kevin Durant potential tying three.
Durant could not hit his 30-footer and the Lakers prevailed in the thriller. The Suns star ended with 31 points, while Booker and Grayson Allen scored 21 points apiece. LA is set to face the Pelicans on the semis on Dec.7.
