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Los Angeles Lakers advance to Las Vegas Summer League Finals after beating Dallas Mavericks

By Kenneth Teape

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Ivica Zubac #40 high fives Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during the Semifinals of the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League on July 16, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Ivica Zubac #40 high fives Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during the Semifinals of the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League on July 16, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks to advance to the Las Vegas Summer League championship game.

The Los Angeles Lakers are cooking. After getting off to a slow start in the Las Vegas Summer League, losing their first two games, the Lakers have caught fire. The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night, making it five consecutive wins in Las Vegas. With this victory, the Lakers

With this victory, the Lakers have advanced to the Las Vegas Summer League Championship Game on Monday night. The Lakers will be taking on the Portland Trail Blazers in that title game, as they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies earlier Sunday evening.

The Trail Blazers were able to overcome a huge deficit in the first half to knock off the Grizzlies. The Lakers made sure that didn’t happen as they blew the doors off the Mavericks in the first half.

Los Angeles jumped out to an early lead and rode that momentum through the second half. Setting the tone tonight was none other than Lonzo Ball.

Ball got the Lakers off to a quick start. He nailed multiple three-pointers and handed out some assists to get the Lakers rolling out of the gate. Ball finished the first quarter with 12 points, four assists, and three rebounds as he controlled the tempo for the Lakers.

This was the first time all summer that Ball shot the ball well. Ball finished the game 5-for-7 from the field, including 2-for-3 from deep. He also added 10 assists, as he recorded a double-double in the first half.

That led to the Lakers resting their point guard for a majority of the season half. He was available if needed, but the Lakers coasted to the end in the second half, so Ball was able to get some rest on the bench. What was arguably the most impressive thing about Ball’s night was that he didn’t commit a turnover in his 21 minutes of play.

Once again, it was Kyle Kuzma leading the way for the Lakers. He poured in a game-high 24 points. He showed off his range once again, making 5-of-7 from beyond the three-point line and 8-of-14 overall.

One of the shots that Kuzma made inside the arc once again came from a long pass from Ball.

The long pass is something that we have seen Ball connect on with Kuzma multiple times. The two are developing quite a chemistry and is a preview of what the Lakers hope will come in the regular season.

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Also reaching the 20-point plateau was Matt Thomas. Thomas didn’t see much playing time earlier in summer league when the Lakers had their whole roster available. But, with Josh Hart and P.J. Dozier suffering injuries, and Brandon Ingram being shut down, he has been inserted into the starting lineup. To say Thomas has taken advantage would be an understatement.

Thomas has showcased his three-point shooting ability, and it was on full display against the Lakers. Thomas knocked down 6-of-7 from deep tonight as he showed how lethal of a spot-up shooter he is. If he is able to set his feet and spot up, Thomas is knocking it down at a very high clip.

Every starter for the Lakers scored at least 12 points, as they spread around the wealth. The Lakers offense has been a thing of beauty for most of the summer, as they are scoring at will.

Next: 4 Lakers With Something To Prove In Summer League

Will they be able to keep up that scoring pace for one more night? We will have to see tomorrow when the Lakers face off against the Trail Blazers for the Las Vegas Summer League title.

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