It was a busy day of games in the NBA on Monday, including a few with huge playoff implications. We chose three that had a big impact on the West’s third to sixth seeds. Take a look:
Lakers Make Statement with Rout of Thunder
Luka Doncic looked like in playoff mode already as he powered the Los Angeles Lakers (48-30) to a dominant 126-99 rout of the Oklahoma City Thunder (64-14) at Paycom Center no less.
Doncic finished with 30 points, including 14 in the Lakers’ blazing first quarter, on top of 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Austin Reaves added 20 and LeBron James chipped in 19 for the Purple and Gold, who raced to a 42-32 first quarter lead and never looked back. Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent had 14 and 12, respectively, of the Lakers bench.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paced the Thunder with 26 points, while Jalen Williams had 16. OKC shot just 39-for-90 overall (43.3%) as it got throttled by a swarming and aggressive Lakers defense.
With the win, the Lakers remained as the third seed in the West. OKC is already secured of the top seed.
Up next:
Rematch on April 9
Pacers Outlast Nuggets, Spoil Nikola Jokic’s Big Game
The Indiana Pacers (47-31) used a strong second half to pull out a 125-120 victory over the Denver Nuggets (47-32) at Ball Arena and spoil another monster triple-double from Nikola Jokic.
Myles Turner led the Pacers’ splendid effort with 24 points, Obi Toppin added 22 markers, and Andrew Nembhard chipped in 19 points and 6 dimes. T.J. McConnell and Jarace Walker put up 12 and 11, respectively, off the bench to help Indiana overcome Tyrese Haliburton’s quiet 9-point, 14-assist game.
Jokic finished with 41 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists in another spectacular all-around showing. Christian Braun added 30 points and 8 boards while shooting 12-for-16 overall. Russell Westbrook, who has struggled lately, scattered 16 off the bench.
With their fourth straight loss, the Nuggets are now at no. 5 in the West in a virtual tie with sixth seeds Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers. Indiana’s win pulled it a step closer to securing the fourth seed in the East.
Up next:
Pacers vs. Wizards on April 9
Nuggets vs. Sacramento Kings on April 10
Rockets Cool Off Warriors Behind Ferocious Defense
The Houston Rockets (52-27) held Stephen Curry in check, and it proved to be the difference as the West’s second seed chalked up a 106-96 victory over the erstwhile streaking Golden State Warriors (46-32) at Chase Center.
Amen Thompson fired 14 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, dished off 6 assists and spearheaded the Rockets’ superlative defense on Curry, whom they held to just 3 points on 1-for-10 shooting with 4 turnovers. Dillon Brooks, who helped out in containing Curry as well, paced Houston with 24 points, while Alperen Sengun had 19 points and 14 rebounds.
Buddy Hield and Gary Payton II scored 20 and 16, respectively, off the Warriors bench, while Brandin Podziemski fired 19.
With the win, Houston tightened its grip on the West’s second seed, while Golden State lost a game to the Lakers in the race for the third seed.
Up next:
Rockets vs. Clippers on April 10
Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns on April 9
