NBA Cup championship preview: Lakers, Pacers vie for coveted crown
The NBA couldn't have wished for a more optimal matchup for the In-Season Tournament final than the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers. The storylines are limitless.

It’s a game that doesn’t count in the standings — but still has a ton of money, a trophy, medals, and bragging rights on the line. The championship game of the inaugural In-Season Tournament will feature Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers going head-to-head against James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
The final has guaranteed a significant payout of $200,000 for every player on both teams. With $4.5 million at stake, each player on the winning team stands to earn $500,000. Along with the NBA Cup, the winning team is awarded medals that are given to all players on the championship team.
Haliburton is essentially just starting out; he was an All-Star last year, got a rookie max extension from the Pacers last summer that will be worth at least $205 million, and has emerged as perhaps this season’s breakout star. This run has not only introduced the Indiana Pacers to the nation but also brought attention to 23-year-old All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who had previously been flourishing in obscurity. In Indiana's semifinal win over Milwaukee in Las Vegas on Thursday, he recorded a notable stat line of 27 points, 15 assists, seven rebounds, and zero turnovers. And even though it's not an NBA title, Haliburton has the potential to secure a memorable win on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, the 38-year-old LeBron James has once again showcased his ability to dominate in crucial matchups. Despite potential disagreement over the big game title, James has approached this tournament with utmost seriousness, lending credibility to the concept. James has triumphed in four NBA championships and reached the NBA Finals on 10 occasions. He is not only the NBA's all-time leading scorer, but he also boasts a multitude of prestigious awards. The Los Angeles Lakers put on a show as they steamrolled the New Orleans Pelicans, winning by a staggering 44 points.
If the Lakers win the NBA Cup championship on Saturday, they will add another trophy to their collection of 17 championships, including their recent victory in 2020 led by James and Anthony Davis.
We can examine the insights we've gathered about both teams during their in-season tournament runs and evaluate how it impacts their prospects of winning the NBA Cup.

Lakers and Pacers are at their very best
The Pacers and Lakers, who are both positioned above the play-in games in their conference standings (Indiana tied with the New York Knicks at 12-8 and Los Angeles at 14-9), have displayed a higher level of performance during in-season tournament play compared to their regular schedule.
The Lakers' victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday was a 44-point blowout, marking their third win by a margin of 27 points or more in six tournament games. This surpasses any other team's performance this season. (Outside the tournament, the Lakers have only managed to win by more than 10 points on one occasion.)
Indiana's tournament run hasn't displayed the same level of dominance. The Pacers' six victories have been achieved with a cumulative margin of 59 points, which is noteworthy given the quality of opponents they have faced. The Pacers emerged victorious against the Eastern Conference's strongest contenders, including the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers in East Group A, before eliminating the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks this week.
The Lakers have achieved a league-leading 45% 3-point shooting percentage during their tournament run -- an impressive feat given their NBA-worst 30% shooting in all other games and inability to surpass 38% from beyond the arc in any non-tournament game. Indiana, with a sixth-place ranking in overall 3-point percentage, showcases a more modest divide but displays higher shooting accuracy during the tournament (41%) compared to other games (37%).
Perhaps even more compelling for the Pacers, they have observed their opponents connecting on 35% of their shots from beyond the perimeter in the in-season tournament. In all other games, Indiana’s opponents have scorched the net at a 41% clip from 3, the league’s highest ’s highest mark.
Can the Pacers be slowed down by the Lakers?
The knockout stages of the in-season tournament haven’t lived up to the traditional wisdom that the game slows down in the “playoffs.” Despite comparably low point totals by Indiana standards this season, the Pacers’ two wins this week have featured 104 possessions per 48 minutes, according to NBA Advanced Stats, right on Indiana’s league-leading average of 104.1 this season.
The Pacers' offensive strategy, fueled by their exceptional 3-point shooting, has propelled them to even greater success in the in-season tournament, building upon their already unrivaled efficiency in NBA history on a per-possession basis. Indiana's scoring rate in the tournament has increased to 127.4 points per 100 possessions, compared to 123.5 in regular-season games.
Indisputably, that starts with Haliburton, who has rendered consecutive fascinating exhibitions this week to thrust Indiana toward the championship. Haliburton contributed to a collective score of 53 points by shooting 21-of-37 and facilitating 28 assists, displaying impeccable ball control in the two knockout games.
Haliburton and the Pacers will also put the Lakers' transition defense to the test, which has generally been stout but has faced difficulties recently. Based on the combination of their frequency and efficiency, the Lakers are ranked as the 11th-best team in preventing opponents from scoring in transition. The Lakers have surrendered more than 20 fast-break points in three out of their last four games, including their quarterfinal victory against the Phoenix Suns. They can't afford to give Indiana those opportunities, knowing the risks involved.
Will ‘Tournament LeBron’ lift the Lakers?
Although it may not carry the same catchy ring as "Playoff LeBron," the nickname "Tournament LeBron" is still proving to be significant.
The ability of the second unit to score and the efficiency of the roster from the three-point line were crucial factors in determining the Los Angeles Lakers' chances of winning against the New Orleans Pelicans. By the time half-time rolled around, their count of made three-point field goals had already surpassed their per-game average. Specifically, they had made a total of 11 three-pointers, which were more than their average of 10.2 per game.
The fact that LeBron was willing to take as many charges on Zion Williamson as Williamson had committed all season before the game had a profound impact on his teammates and influenced the overall atmosphere of the game. In addition, the hot shooting was also a contributing factor.
After one quarter, with the score at 30-29, the Lakers found themselves trailing. However, James quickly turned the tide by sinking an early 3-pointer in the second quarter. He responded to Jose Alvarado's triple with one of his own, then took a deep shot from about 30 feet to cap off a personal 9-3 run. The Lakers never lost the lead again. They ultimately outperformed the Pelicans by a staggering 36 points with James on the court.
While the Lakers, as a collective unit, remained steadfast, it was LeBron James' exemplary performance that underscored the significance of the game for both him and the team. Not only did he lead the Lakers in scoring (30) and assists (8), but he achieved this feat in just 22 minutes of play, further enhancing his impressive performance. In order to provide perspective, if LeBron had played his typical 33 minutes per game, those figures would likely be 45 points and 12 assists, although it is conceivable he could have achieved even higher numbers.
In the event that James emerges as the standout player in Saturday's final, the Lakers possess an advantage over the Pacers as a result of their abundant pool of influential contributors. In particular, the Lakers' bench, fortified by the remarkable display of Austin Reaves, who has made six 3-pointers and accumulated 37 points in two recent victories, in addition to Jarred Vanderbilt's return from injury, is expected to have a more favorable matchup against Indiana's second group in contrast to Milwaukee.
The other wild card in the final is how far Darvin Ham is willing to go with his star players in order to win. The light workload of LeBron on Thursday and the Lakers' two days off after Saturday imply Ham may treat this as a Game 7 in terms of workload. Considering the Lakers' substantial discrepancy in net rating with James on the court, allocating more than 40 minutes to his playing time could sway the result in their favor.
The final is a convergence of styles. Indiana is currently leading the league in scoring with an average of 132.7 points per game in tournament matches, while the Lakers have the best defensive record, allowing only 102 points per game in the tournament. ... The Pacers and Lakers engaged in two closely contested one-point games last season. In a thrilling game on Nov. 28, 2022, Indiana emerged victorious with a 116-115 score over Los Angeles, thanks to Andrew Nembhard's last-second 3-pointer. The last eight meetings between the teams were all decided by single digits.
Which team will hoist the cup?
Despite numerous uncertainties surrounding the players' adjustment to the new event, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle lauded it, emphasizing the increased focus teams have received in the early stages of the season.
The Indiana Pacers possess the most dominant offense in the NBA, showcasing a seamless rhythm accompanied by optimal spacing, exceptional athleticism, and high basketball intelligence on the court.
The Pacers' lineup, spearheaded by the promising young talent of Haliburton, encompasses more than just their top player. Turner is an exceptional center known for his shot-blocking ability and deep shooting range, while Bennedict Mathurin is rapidly advancing into a versatile and skilled scorer. Moreover, Buddy Hield offers them the sharpshooting excellence required to capitalize on susceptibilities in the Lakers' defensive strategies.
In the interim, Obi Toppin, an agile dunker who is progressively expanding his skill set, as well as versatile two-way players Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith, are proving that their bench status doesn't undermine their reliability.
By receiving more playing time, this team has seemingly integrated a heightened degree of defensive reliability into their approach, evident in their performances against the Celtics and the Bucks. While there are still several strides remaining for the team, emerging victorious in the finals could serve as the catalyst for unifying everything.
Despite their comparatively uninspired beginning to the season, the Lakers still possess one of the most gifted 15-man locker rooms in the league. The team's nucleus lies in James and Davis, without a doubt, but the remaining members of their lineup demand respect, too. Despite his disparity, D'Angelo Russell has the potential for a game-changing scoring performance, whereas Austin Reaves, who was previously demoted to the bench, has demonstrated his value as a respectable sixth man.
The team's success is bolstered by the presence of Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, Rui Hachimura, Christian Wood, and Jarred Vanderbilt, each offering unique tools such as spot-up shooting, interior defense, and versatility. With their best abilities on display, they can easily brush aside the Pacers, just as they did with the Pelicans.
It is an indisputable fact that the level of basketball played at this event will be nothing short of phenomenal. It's a clash between the GOAT and one of the league's most prominent brands versus an electrifying young team that has exceeded all predictions. Leagues with deep-rooted traditions, such as the NBA, seldom incorporate additions like the NBA Cup into their annual calendar. It is truly a privilege to have the opportunity to witness the beginning of something incredibly new and thrilling.
Noteworthy
The In-Season Tournament consisted of multiple games, all of which contributed to the regular season standings. However, the Championship game, being the 83rd game, holds a special status as it will not affect the Pacers’ and Lakers' records.
The Pacers and Lakers have scheduled two regular-season meetings with each other. On March 24, the Indiana team will be traveling to Los Angeles for a game, and then, less than a week later, on March 29, they will be hosting the Lakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Lakers have historically owned the Pacers with a commanding 64-34 all-time record.
Following the conclusion of Saturday's game, a panel of media members will cast their votes to determine the In-Season Tournament MVP and a five-player All-Tournament Team.
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