The Los Angeles Lakers had two particular objectives getting into Friday’s conflict in opposition to the Houston Rockets: to safe the third seed and their fiftieth win.
The Rockets made these duties simpler by resting almost all their starters and rotational gamers, however the Lakers nonetheless wanted to handle enterprise, which they did with a dominant 140-109 victory.
For Luka Doncic, the third seed means somewhat extra. The Slovenian guided the Mavericks to 2 Convention Finals, together with one journey to the NBA Finals, with out ever having fun with home-court benefit. However he views the third seed as a pathway to his elusive NBA championship.
Whereas addressing reporters after a game-high 39 factors on Friday, Doncic echoed teammate Austin Reaves’ sentiments that the Lakers have all of the instruments to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June.
“That is my first time having house court docket benefit, so I am actually enthusiastic about it,” Doncic mentioned. “That was our objective during the last 5-6 video games of the season — to lock up the third seed… Our solely objective now’s [to win a championship]. I believe now we have the staff to do it. When all people is locked in, we’re a tough staff to beat, in order that’s our objective.”
Friday’s win additionally meant the Lakers will take pleasure in a nine-day relaxation interval forward of the playoffs and might afford to relaxation their key gamers in Sunday’s season-finale in opposition to the Path Blazers. Doncic admitted the remaining is a godsend for his staff.
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