The final two teams have rounded out the NBA's In-Season Tournament semifinal matchups, and The Morning Dunk has everything you need to know about how we got to that point.
Controversial Timeout Saves Lakers
Did NBA officials ultimately help decide the outcome of Tuesday's quarterfinal clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns? That's for you to decide.
With the Lakers up by two with 11.2 seconds remaining, LeBron James inbounded the basketball to Austin Reaves who then proceeded to fumble the rock with Suns defenders draped over him. Despite clearly not having possession, the nearby official awarded a timeout to the Lakers.
Lakers got this timeout call on what seemed to be a loose ball 👀 pic.twitter.com/j1xdODEgNo
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 6, 2023
Phoenix still had an opportunity to tie the game late, but to no avail as the Lakers now move on to Las Vegas to battle the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, Dec. 7.
The Lakers improved to 10-4 SU across their last 14 games, just barely covering as the narrow two-point favorites against Phoenix.
Milwaukee Lights Up New York To Advance
Here's hoping you took the OVER in this contest because points were aplenty when the Milwaukee Bucks took on the New York Knicks in quarterfinal action.
Milwaukee blew out the visiting Knicks to the tune of a 146-122 victory, with the O/U initially set at 222.5 points. The Bucks were historically efficient, connecting on 23 3-pointers at a 60.5% clip, becoming the fourth team to ever do so. They'll now take on the Indiana Pacers in Sin City on Thursday in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Bucks were SCORCHING from beyond the arc in the NBA In-Season Tournament Quarterfinals 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) December 6, 2023
Milwaukee made a season-high 23 3-pointers to go alongside scoring a season-high 146 PTS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/i2hvaJMFCJ
Teammates Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo are now the new favorites to win the NBA Cup's Most Valuable Player award at +380 and +430, respectively.
