NBA swingman Zach LaVine put on a scoring clinic in his 2018 the Crawsover Pro-Am debut, netting 50 points and helping the Bellingham Slam to 125-110 win over Ball Is Life on Saturday at Royal Brougham Pavilion.
LaVine dazzled the crowd with a steal and highlight-reel dunk less than a minute into the game, setting the stage for one of the most outstanding pro-am performances in recent memory.
With the Slam’s regular starters deferring to LaVine for the bulk of the offense, the Slam raced out to a 33-12 lead after the first quarter.
The trend continued in the second quarter with Bellingham building a 28-point lead by halftime, at 62-34. LaVine had 27 first-half points on 12-of-18 shooting.
The only offensive threat from Ball Is Life came midway through the third quarter, when the used a 10-0 run to trim what was a 30-point margin back down to 20. Bellingham led 92-71 after three.
Lavine’s 50th point came on a three-pointer from the wing with two minutes left in the game, after which he checked out to a standing ovation from the Pavilion crowd.
Every Slam player who suited up made it on the scoresheet. Guards Mike Scott and Suki Wiggs, invited guests of Lavine, scored 28 and 18 points respectively for Bellingham. Among the Slam regulars, only guard Paul Hafford was able to crack double-figures with 12. Guard Trazil Lane finished with 7 points on perfect 3-for-3 shooting, including an impressive and-one play in the second half. Ball Is Life was led by the 33 points of guard Elijah Hardy, who will be in an incoming freshman for the Washington Huskies this fall.
The Slam (3-1) resumes action at the Crawsover Pro-Am on Sunday. They will face undefeated Cityside Hoops (4-0). Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30pm at Seattle Pacific University’s Royal Brougham Pavilion.
Information courtesy of the Bellingham Slam
