LAS VEGAS — A look at top performers from Day 9 in Las Vegas:
Jake Layman, Portland Trail Blazers
In the first elimination game of the day, Portland big man Jake Layman was anything but ordinary. After scoring just two points in eight minutes of first-half action, Layman exploded for 21 in the second half to help lead the Blazers to a 94-87 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Layman, who appeared in 35 games for the Blazers last season, made an effective inside-out duo with Portland’s 2017 first-round pick Caleb Swanigan, who finished with 16 points and nine rebounds.
Wayne Selden, Memphis Grizzlies
After falling behind early in their game against the Miami Heat, the Memphis Grizzlies mounted a furious comeback in the fourth quarter, overcoming a 10-point deficit to tie the game, which went to overtime knotted at 90. After each team scored two points in the first overtime, Selden and Wade Baldwin combined to score all of Memphis’ seven points in the second overtime, helping the Grizzlies to the 98-95 win. Selden, a former second-round pick who played in 11 games last season, continued his banner Summer League showing, finishing the game with 24 points and four assists.
Yogi Ferrell, Dallas Mavericks
While most of the attention this week has been on Dennis Smith, Jr., Dallas’ lottery pick, his backcourt mate, Yogi Ferrell, showed his skills once again. With the Boston Celtics resting several of their key players, the Mavericks won going away, 91-74. While Smith never really got going, finishing with three points in 15 minutes, Ferrell led the way, scoring 20 points in 23 minutes and finishing with a +30 plus-minus rating. The Mavs advance to face the Lakers in Saturday’s semifinals.
Lonzo Ball and Vander Blue, Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers’ relative proximity to Las Vegas gives them what amounts to a home-court advantage, as the stands in Vegas were packed with fans of the purple and gold. And while the Brooklyn Nets got off to a fast start, leading the Lakers at the half, 53-45, the Lakers backcourt of Lonzo Ball and Vander Blue brought them back to get the win, 115-106. Ball struggled from the floor (4 of 12 on field goals) but stuffed the stat sheet as usual, finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Blue, the reigning G League MVP, scored a game-high 27 points.
Lang Whitaker has covered the NBA since 1998. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here or follow him on Twitter.
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