NBA: JAN 31 Lakers at Clippers

Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Miles Simon during a NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers on January 31, 2019 at STAPLES Center.

 Brian Rothmuller, Icon Sportswire 2019

Simon says finals!Β 

The Los Angeles Lakers punched their ticket to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010 after holding off the Denver Nuggets in five games in the Western Conference Finals, and former Arizona Wildcat standout Miles Simon will coach in his first championship as an assistant on Frank Vogel's staff.Β 

Quinton Crawford, who played for the Wildcats between 2011-13, is also an assistant under Vogel.Β 

Simon becomes the fifth Lute Olson disciple to coach in the NBA Finals, joining Steve Kerr, Bruce Fraser, Luke Walton and Bret Brielmaier.Β 

The Lakers will host the winner of the Boston Celtics-Miami Heat series.Β 

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Contact sports content producer Justin Spears at 573-4312 or jspears@tucson.com. On Twitter @justinesports