LeBron's Heroics, Controversial Calls, and NBA Glory

LeBron James scored 31 points, leading the Lakers to victory.

[{"selector":"#anim-b645448b-1f6b-4b85-9791-387bef84a5f5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7a82dadf-f92f-40d9-a49e-dc03be50b6cc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 95.48151%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Anthony Davis contributed 27 points and 15 rebounds for the Lakers.

[{"selector":"#anim-55a7f8f4-a4b0-4b2c-bfb6-91ccd1e35665","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-86960f47-3a27-44dc-8058-56b982c5cb25","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 95.48151%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Austin Reaves scored 20 points for the top-seeded Lakers.

[{"selector":"#anim-9146e023-69da-4fb0-9696-1746d679a1c5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cc112d65-5de3-419b-a14b-9ea6909ae668","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 95.48151%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Lakers secured the last semifinal spot in the NBA in-season tournament.

[{"selector":"#anim-c68091f1-b9af-4162-906b-448404aae8c9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5fc654f4-c6e0-4f8b-ad52-84a160770bba","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 95.48151%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The championship game will be held on Saturday, with the winner taking home the NBA Cup.

[{"selector":"#anim-77f95df3-153d-4ab7-b9e0-09857ede9393","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cd6ac2c0-e566-4843-b255-bfc5f2450b82","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 95.48151%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] James emphasized the significance of playing for something meaningful in the in-season tournament.

[{"selector":"#anim-b1946079-b11f-492e-81b9-5faae1e6ddde","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d1025b0e-7cd2-4f9c-a83a-a76b5d7385f6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 95.48151%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] James showcased a masterful shooting performance in the fourth quarter.

[{"selector":"#anim-3b3429c2-4daa-4266-89c7-7bcde684fd18","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-953cccc6-752c-4ff5-a1b5-ff29589cec66","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 95.48151%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Phoenix Suns lost to the Lakers for the third time this season.

[{"selector":"#anim-1cab5f9d-289e-4eaa-86cf-69d3c09f2c98","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-28123f02-0208-480a-9368-0b0e5f4f6e65","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 95.48151%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Controversial timeout granted to LeBron James, frustrating the Suns.

[{"selector":"#anim-50ffbf99-d034-4790-b14c-4f400d02bad5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-47544223-2adf-44c9-83de-39231a21d931","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 95.17705%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The in-season tournament motivates players with financial bonuses for support personnel and younger players.