Las Vegas Summer League Recap: Tournament Quarterfinals

This day exemplified the unpredictability of Summer League play. The games today varied in quality, from "I don't think I can ever watch basketball again because of how bad this game is." to "Praise be to the basketball gods, for they have blessed us." So let's recap this roller coaster of a day.

Phoenix Suns 103, Toronto Raptors 98

The Suns got off to a hot start, and never looked back. They led all game, and the only time it got close was at the end of the 2nd quarter, and at the end of the game. The Morris twins were both productive for the Suns, with Marcus scoring 24 on 8-11 shooting and Markieff scoring 16 on 8-11 shooting. Archie Goodwin also had a great game for Phoenix, making a living at the line (8-10 for the game) on his way to 20 points on only five shots. Quincy Acy and Dwight Buycks were the main contributors for the Raptors. Acy had 28 points and 10 rebounds on 9-15 shooting, including a three that came late in the game to keep the Raptors in the game with 21 seconds left. Buycks had 28 on 11-20 shooting, and was the main proponent of a late run that kept the Raptors in position to possibly get a win late. The Suns kept missing free throws and turning the ball over, and the Raptors kept it close. But every time they got it within one possession they failed to make that final push and the Suns escaped with the win.

Charlotte Bobcats 85, D-League Select 75

Oh goodness this game was ugly. It was terrible. It made me hate Summer League. It made me not want to watch basketball. It made me feel in serious need of a shower. These teams had 54 total fouls in the game. Both teams averaged 40.1% from the field. The game dragged on FOR-EV-ER in the 4th quarter because the D-League Select team just HAD to keep extending the game even though they were down by 10 points in the final minute. The only person worth talking about is Abdul Gaddy of the Bobcats, who had 17 points on 6-7 shooting, and generally looked like the only competent player on the floor. Now, let's wash our hands of this game, and never, EVER bring it up again.

Golden State Warriors 83, Los Angeles Lakers 77

I, for one, welcome our new Bazed overlord. Kent Bazemore had a huge game, scoring 26 points on 9-20 shooting, and carrying his team in the 4th quarter. He had 10 in the final quarter, and every time the Lakers made a mini-run and got the lead down to one possession, it was Bazemore who would quell the attempts to take the lead. He nailed free throws, hit dagger jumpers, and generally curb-stomped any remaining Laker hope. Cameron Jones, who has quietly had a good week here in Vegas, continued his success with 18 points on 6-11 shooting. He helped keep Golden State in the game early, which earned him the praise of Bazemore in the post-game interview. For the Lakers, Lester Hudson, Eloy Harris, and Marcus Landry all had pretty good nights. Hudson had 18 on 6-11, Harris had 17 on 7-13, Landry had 14 on 5-10 and between the three they combined to shoot 8-16 from deep.

These games marks my last to be seen live in Vegas, as I'm flying back home on Sunday. It was a fun trip, and I really had a blast seeing things in person, and being able to write about them. Just because I won't be covering games doesn't mean PtR won't,so be sure to stay on the lookout for tomorrow's coverage and thoughts on the semi-finals. And, after my flight back home, I will be back to covering summer league for the hopefully entertaining championship game.