The Los Angeles Lakers had two particular objectives coming 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 maintain enterprise, which they did with a dominant 140-109 victory.
For Luka Doncic, the third seed means a bit 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 residence courtroom benefit, so I am actually enthusiastic about it,” Doncic mentioned. “That was our purpose over the past 5-6 video games of the season — to lock up the third seed… Our solely purpose now’s [to win a championship]. I feel we have now the staff to do it. When everyone is locked in, we’re a tough staff to beat, in order that’s our purpose.”
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.
