The Los Angeles Lakers took a big step towards third place in the West at the end of the regular season. Thanks to Luka Doncic and Co., the game against the second-placed Rockets was never really close.
This was partly due to the fact that Houston – who have already secured second place in the Western Conference – were without three key players. Alperen Sengün (back), Jabari Smith Jr. (groin) and Fred VanVleet (ankle) missed the game through injury – or to rest?
The Lakers, on the other hand, made it clear from the outset that they were determined to win the game. “We want third place and we still have two games to secure it,” said LA coach JJ Redick in advance.
However, the Rockets got off to the better start, taking a six-point lead after a three by Jalen Green (20:14). What followed was a masterclass from Luka Doncic, who almost single-handedly put his Lakers in the lead. 15 points and three assists in the first quarter were the statistical rewards.
Lakers decide the game in the first half
While Houston had problems keeping up with the home side’s number of steps, that’s exactly what they did in the second half. In Doncic’s absence, LeBron James took control of the Lakers’ offense, adding 14 points and six assists by half-time. The Lakers had an impressive 78 points after two quarters, including a 22-point lead over the second-best team in the West.
Not much changed in the second half, partly because the Lakers shot all the lights out of the three-point line. A total of 19 of their 37 attempts went in (51.4%). Dorian Finney-Smith hit 6/8, Doncic himself 5/9 and Austin Reaves 3/6. The latter finished the game with 23 points.
The final quarter was already over for the stars. With a 20-point lead, LeBron (14/8) and Doncic (39/8/7) were no longer used and possibly rested for the final game of the season against the Portland Trail Blazers (Sunday, 9:30 p.m.).
The outcome of the game doesn’t change much in the standings. The Lakers defend third place in the Western Conference ahead of the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers. The Rockets have already secured second place with 52 wins.
