It seems that fans are more interested in the NBA regular season lately because of the inauguration of the in-season tournament. And given its success, there’s no doubt that this is going to be a staple moving forward.
And now we’re down to the final two teams, as the Lakers and the Pacers vie for the first league Cup tomorrow in Las Vegas. The SBOTOP NBA 2023 odds seem to be in favour of the Lakers, but the Pacers have proven in this competition that they aren’t to be counted out.
With a huge cash bonus and trophy up for grabs, both of these teams are expected to go all out. But before we get into the final game, here are some of the biggest takeaways from the in-season tournament.
Tyrese Haliburton is a big-game player
Tyrese Haliburton has officially entered the MVP talks because he has had one heck of an in-season tournament, which may sound like an understatement.
The 23-year-old point guard has posted norms of 27.8 points, 13.7 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game on 51.8-per cent shooting from the field and 44.6-per cent from three-point range. He’s basically one of the reasons why Indiana are 6-0 in the in-season tournament.
In their last two games in the build-up to the final, Haliburton has amassed 53 points and 28 assists to spearhead the Pacers’ blistering offence, which currently ranks first in points per 100 possessions (123.5) and fast-break points (17.2). However, what’s even more amazing is the fact that Haliburton has yet to turn the ball over once in this time period.
Perhaps the Pacers should get more national TV games because they revel in them. Against the Celtics in the quarter-finals, Haliburton made it to the NBA 2023 highlights reel with his four-point play late in the final period to take the lead for good.
And in the semi-finals, Haliburton hit the dagger with his third three-pointer with less than a minute left to fend off the Bucks’ late rally.
We would be remiss if we didn’t give a shoutout to the Pacers bench, which has been essential to their success. At 46.5 points per game, Indiana boast the second-best second unit in the league, and they might spell the difference between winning and losing in the final.
LeBron James puts up a fight against Father Time
The Lakers, headed by the incomparable LeBron James, are the team the Pacers must defeat in order to take home their first NBA silverware.
The King has been in countless big games before, and this is no different. And he is certainly giving Father Time a huge run for his money, as he’s averaging 26.8 points, 8.2 assists, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game in the in-season tournament.
After dispatching the Suns in the quarter-finals, James managed to score the fastest 30-point game of his decorated career against the Pelicans (22:32) in the semi-finals en route to a wire-to-wire 133-89 victory on Tuesday.
One particular stat that stands out for the 38-year-old is his three-point accuracy, as he is shooting a staggering 62.5-per cent so far in the in-season tournament, and yes, it’s not a typographical error.
In the same game against New Orleans, James’ three-point shooting prowess was on full display, as he knocked down three consecutive “heat check” three-pointers to bust the game wide open midway through the second period.
But the x-factor for the Lakers is going to be Anthony Davis, who has been often criticised for his supposed “inconsistency.” In the in-season tournament, AD is averaging 20.3 points, 13.7 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 2.7 blocks per game.
Bucks need to rediscover their identity
Giannis Antetokounmpo was not a happy camper after they were eliminated by the Pacers, and it is understandable since they were one of the favourites to win the Cup.
In what has been a recurring theme since they traded for Damian Lillard this summer, the Bucks defence has let them down since they have conceded at least 120 points per game in their last five outings across all competitions.
Milwaukee actually played a hefty amount of zone against Indiana, which is interesting to say the least since they’ve been one of the best defencive teams in the league in the past few years.
Moreover, Khris Middleton’s underwhelming production so far this season is also a concern for the Bucks.
The 32-year-old forward is only averaging 12.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game on 47-per cent shooting this year, and those numbers need to improve to alleviate the pressure on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
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