NBA In-Season Tournament, Lakers qualify for quarters

Fourth win in as many races for the yellow-violet

So many franchises on the court for the fifth day of the new NBA In-Season Tournament format . Excellent show of strength by the LA Lakers who overcame Utah with a dry 131-99, earning their fourth win (in as many games) in the tournament and a mathematical pass to the quarterfinals.

Davis shines, finishing with 26 points and 17 rebounds. James (17 points) reaches 39,000 NBA career points. In the Jazz, Fontecchio stays on the court 27' with 11 points on the bench. Phoenix also did well: 120-107 against Portland (31 points by Durant).

It was Banchero (25 points) who dragged Orlando to success over Toronto (126-107). Unexpected stop, however, for Philadelphia, which surrendered to Cleveland (122-119). A 32-point, 13-rebound Embiid was not enough to send the Cavs down dragged by a super Garland who put up an impressive 32 points. Finally, Indiana topped Atlanta 157-152 in a match in which defenses were not particularly effective.