Luka Scores 39, Lakers Beat Houston to Clinch 3rd Seed and Earn Extra Rest Before Playoffs

Mission accomplished. 

The Lakers still don't know what team they're going to play in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, but they do know it'll be whatever team finishes sixth, following LA's 140-109 win over a (largely) resting Houston Rockets squad Friday night at the Crypt. After a slow start, the Lakers took control of the game and never let it go, comfortable knowing they could win pretty easily as long as they put in a reasonable level of focus. Luka Dončić led the way with 39 points, along with eight rebounds and seven assists. Austin Reaves finished with 23/7/6. About the only bad thing that happened was an injury scare with LeBron James in the second half, but based on LeBron's movement and attitude on the sidelines, the Lakers seemed to have dodged a bullet. 

And even if he's sore, with the win the Lakers can sit all their regulars on Sunday in Portland, and then rest up while the rest of the West does the whole play-in thing. 

An excellent night overall for the purple and gold (assuming LeBron is, indeed, fine). 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

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