The Los Angeles Lakers captured the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament title with a perfect record, and while it marks a midseason achievement, signs point to real progress for the team compared to the last two years. Melbet Login analysts agree — this victory was no fluke. A key difference lies in the Lakers’ improved roster build, especially in terms of overall height. Aside from D’Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent (both 6’3″) and Austin Reaves (6’5″), nearly every rotation player stands close to 6’7″ or taller.
This shift is largely credited to GM Rob Pelinka’s savvy offseason moves. The additions of Cam Reddish and Taurean Prince have paid off handsomely. More importantly, the Lakers have developed a cohesive and impactful defensive system. With only Russell and Reaves being slight liabilities on defense, the team’s size and versatility have dramatically boosted their ability to disrupt opponents.
Over the final four games of the tournament, the Lakers’ defense made life miserable for some of the league’s best scorers — shutting down duos like Durant and Booker, Ingram and McCollum, and Houston’s Green and VanVleet. In the final, they held the NBA’s highest-scoring team, the Indiana Pacers, to just 109 points. According to Melbet Login stats, the starting lineup of Russell, LeBron, Prince, Reddish, and Davis has gone 8–1 — a clear testament to this lineup’s two-way balance.
Offensively, the most notable shift this season is LeBron James himself. At 39, he’s showing more aggression and hunger than in recent years. Unlike the past two seasons, where his energy often dipped late in games, this year’s LeBron is everywhere — sprinting the floor, blocking shots, and reading plays for steals. Though his scoring average has dipped slightly, his efficiency from the field and beyond the arc has soared.
That level of intensity from LeBron sets the tone — if the oldest guy on the court is diving for loose balls, everyone else better follow suit. As for Anthony Davis, his performance continues to swing wildly from dominant to inconsistent, but when he’s locked in, the Lakers are nearly unstoppable. Currently, Davis ranks second league-wide in both rebounds and blocks.
D’Angelo Russell has been serviceable, occasionally flashing brilliance but also reverting to average form. Austin Reaves struggled early in the season but has since bounced back into rhythm. Credit must also go to coach Darvin Ham for his fearless adjustments — moving Reaves to the bench was a bold move that has paid dividends.
Today, the Lakers enjoy one of the deepest rotations in the league. The only glaring issue? Inconsistent three-point shooting. Melbet Login sports reporters believe that if the Lakers can shore up their perimeter accuracy, they’ll be even more dangerous as the postseason approaches.