Basketball - Lakers and Pacers in the first final of the NBA tournament
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Indiana Pacers have reached the final of the new NBA tournament and will play for 500,000 US dollars in prize money for each basketball player on the winning team on Sunday night.
After the Pacers' 128:119 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, the NBA record champions led by superstar LeBron James gave the New Orleans Pelicans no chance in a 133:89 victory.
James impressed with 30 points and eight assists and now has the opportunity to win another title in his career. The NBA tournament is being held for the first time and should add excitement to an otherwise rather boring phase of the season.
"If we defend, we have a good chance of winning every game," said James, but also cautioned caution. "It's still only December, I'm not going to go crazy now. The in-season tournament is great, but it's still only December. It's another opportunity to get even better, that's what we want and we're excited."
The semi-finals on a bright blue and red court in Las Vegas in front of a mostly neutral crowd drew applause and cheers, especially after strong individual efforts. Tyrese Haliburton with 27 points and 15 assists for the Pacers excelled as he did in the win against the Boston Celtics and led the young team from Indianapolis into the final.
"We don't have any Hollywood guys in the team. We just have a lot of guys on the team who keep their heads down and work," said Myles Turner, his team's second-best scorer with 26 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo's 37 points were worthless for the Bucks in the end.
In the late game between the Lakers and Pelicans, James was joined by Anthony Davis, who added 15 rebounds to his 16 points, and Austin Reaves, who contributed 17 points off the bench. The 29:30 deficit after the first quarter was turned around in particular by the soon-to-be 39-year-old James, who scored eleven points in a row. He hit three threes in a row, two of them while still standing on the logo with the new trophy, causing jubilation on the bench and in the stands.
The Lakers have now won three games in a row. In contrast to the previous games, Saturday's final does not count towards the main round for Los Angeles and Indiana. The winners will receive generous prize money.
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The winners of the NBA tournament final, either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Indiana Pacers, will pocket 500,000 US dollars each, showcasing the significant prize money associated with the event. The tournament, held for the first time, has brought excitement to the otherwise dull NBA season, especially for basketball enthusiasts in the USA, including those in cities like Los Angeles and Indianapolis.
Tyrese Haliburton's impressive performance with 27 points and 15 assists helped the Pacers secure their victory against the Milwaukee Bucks, led by NBA record champion and superstar LeBron James. James, with 30 points and eight assists in their subsequent game against the New Orleans Pelicans, demonstrated his continued dominance and determination to win another NBA title.
Currently, the US dollar is the standard currency in the NBA, and Germany, as well as other international fans, are following the tournament with great interest. The Basketball world has been eagerly anticipating the final between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Indiana Pacers, each team hoping to claim their share of the prize money and the prestigious title of NBA champions.
After their successful semifinal matches, both teams have shown strong defensive strategies and individual performances, bolstered by key contributions from their bench players, like Austin Reaves for the Lakers and Myles Turner for the Pacers. With the tournament final just around the corner, the future of both teams and the champion title of the NBA are hanging in the balance, promising an exhilarating and highly-anticipated match between two of America's best basketball teams.
As NBA fans around the world wait for the final game, it seems that both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Indiana Pacers are eager to prove themselves as the true champions of basketball, not just in the US but globally. With their sights set on the NBA trophy and substantial prize money, it's sure to be an unforgettable showdown between these two formidable teams.
The upcoming final, scheduled for Sunday night, will be a significant turning point in the careers of James, Davis, Turner, Haliburton, and other NBA players, promising an opportunity to create new milestones and make their marks in the storied history of basketball. With the Lakers and Pacers prepared for a fierce battle, the stage is set for an exciting and symbolic event that will redefine basketball's landscape and add another exhilarating chapter to its rich legacy.
Source: www.stern.de
