The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t let their guard down despite the visiting Houston Rockets missing six of its top seven scorers. The second-seeded Rockets sat out Fred VanVleet, Alperen Sengun, Dillon Brooks, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Jae’Sean Tate against the Lakers big three of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves. Without the opposing team’s key contributors, Luka Magic and AR15 toyed with the Rockets’ C-team.
Doncic already had 39 points, 7 assists, and 8 rebounds before sitting out for the rest of the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Reaves made 23 points on an efficient 9-for-15 shooting. LBJ didn’t have to do so much as the Lakers were already up big at halftime, although the fans and his teammates had quite the scare after the 4-time MVP was seen clutching his left leg while walking towards the bench during the third quarter.
Ultimately, the Lakers (50-31) beat the Rockets, 140-109, to achieve their 50th win of the season and officially clinches a playoff spot as the third seed in the West. This is also the first time the Purple and Gold will be back in the playoffs without participating in the Play-In, since the tournament’s inception during the 2020 bubble, back when the Lakers were named NBA champions.
On the other side of the ball, the Rockets (52-29) keep their standing as the no.2 in the Western Conference.
Both of these teams, who have home-court advantage in the playoffs, can finally rest before both of their season finale this weekend.
Daily Fantasy: 'YUN OH! NANDITO NA ANG PBA
