The Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers produced a Summer League classic as they went back and forth in a battle to reach the final.The two teams needed double-overtime to separate each other and in the end, it was the Lakers who eventually came out on top.LA secured a 112-109 win at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas as they advance to the championship game for the second consecutive year.They enjoyed easy wins en route to the semi-finals but they didn't have things all their own way against a resilient Cavs team.
Rollercoaster game
It was a nail-biting contest that featured 16 lead changes and 13 ties before the Lakers finally took control in the second overtime period.
“We just have guys that want to win and compete,” said Lakers coach Miles Simon. “(That) want to be out there on the floor.
"They pick each other up no matter when someone else is down, and that’s the fun thing about being with this group, the Lakers organisation, we have a championship mentality every time we step on the floor.”
The purple and gold had Josh Hart to thank as he put on a terrific display to lead them to the win.
The shooting guard put up 37 points on 13-of-28 shooting and nailed six three-pointers.
“It was a tough, gut-it-out win,” said Hart. “The atmosphere was great. Just shows you the guts that this team has. It was a battle.”
Svi Mykhailiuk deserves a huge mention too as he added 31 points and also knocked down six triples.
Both teams continuously made big clutch plays as they couldn't be separated but it was Xavier Rathan-Mayes who eventually made the biggest plays to seal the win for Los Angeles.
With 45 seconds left in the second overtime, he snatched a loose ball and dished a pretty touch pass to Jeff Ayres under the basket for an easy finish.
Rathan-Mayes then followed this with a lay-up to give the Lakers a 110-106 lead with 22 seconds left.
Although the Cavaliers lost, their number eight overall pick Collin Sexton once again produced an impressive performance as he led them in scoring with 27 points.
His fearless attitude on the court was on full display again as he came up big on both ends of the floor on numerous occasions.
Cleveland can't replace LeBron James but they've certainly got a young star in the making who has a bright future ahead of him.
The Lakers will face the Portland Trail Blazers in the final as they look to successfully retain their Summer League trophy.
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