Bold start: The Lakers and Spurs are squaring off as the main Western Conference challenge to the reigning champions, with stakes rising as the NBA Cup West semi-final arrives.
LOS ANGELES — Two Western heavyweight teams prepare to clash in a high-stakes NBA Cup West semifinal, as the Los Angeles Lakers host the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday (Thursday morning, Singapore time). Each side comes into the matchup in strong form: the Lakers have captured nine wins in their last 11 games, while the Spurs have won eight of their previous 11. The Lakers welcomed LeBron James back during this stretch, and the Spurs have been winning without Victor Wembanyama, who is sidelined with a calf issue.
The winner advances to what could be a telling midseason test against the Oklahoma City Thunder, should last season’s champions prevail in the other West semifinal against the Phoenix Suns.
Wembanyama will miss his 12th straight game.
Rookie Dylan Harper emphasized the team-first mindset despite missing their star: “I think we all trust each other with the ball. There is no ego between us... which is a big thing in this league. We all just want to see each other succeed no matter what. Just have that mindset of playing off each other and have one common goal, and that’s winning.”
With Wembanyama out, San Antonio shot 47.2 percent from three (17 of 36). They now face a Lakers squad that struggles on the perimeter defensively, as opponents shoot 37.9 percent from long range. The Lakers are working to tighten that defensive gap, and a potential boost could come from Marcus Smart’s anticipated return at back, after missing six games. LeBron James, who rejoined the lineup on Nov 18, has averaged 16.1 points and 7.6 assists over seven games this season.
In a standout performance, Los Angeles edged the Philadelphia 76ers 112-108 on Sunday, with James drilling a go-ahead three with 1:12 left and adding another with 27.4 seconds remaining, finishing with a season-high 29 points.
Luka Dončić lauded James, saying, “That was amazing. That was vintage Bron. We’re glad he was there to save us. He had an incredible game. He just decided the game.”
The Lakers–Spurs winner earns a trip to Las Vegas for the West final on Saturday, with the NBA Cup final against the East winner also scheduled for Las Vegas next Tuesday.
Elsewhere in NBA action on Tuesday, the Orlando Magic, led by Desmond Bane’s 37 points, and the New York Knicks also advanced to the NBA Cup semifinals with decisive wins. Bane went 6-for-9 from three, plus six rebounds and five assists in Orlando’s 117-108 win over Miami. In Toronto, Jalen Brunson poured in 35 points to power the Knicks past the Raptors 117-101 for the other quarterfinal win. REUTERS, AFP
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