Another team has locked in their seeding ahead of the NBA Playoffs amid a tight Western Conference race. The Los Angeles Lakers, who have been a top-three team for the majority of the season, officially clinched the No. 3 seed on Friday night after beating the Houston Rockets. This guaranteed them home-court advantage for at least the first round and put them in a better position to go on a deep playoff run.
With the win and their playoff positioning secured, the team can rest their key players and have them sit out the final game of the regular season on Sunday so they can be rested for the start of the playoffs. Players that will most likely sit include LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves.
Lakers’ Path To This Point
Entering the season, there were questions as to just how good the Lakers could be this season coming in with a new Head Coach in JJ Redick and a much older roster. But, throughout the season, doubts were quickly squashed as the team began the season 3-0 for the first time since 2010-11. Through it all, Redick has put himself into Coach of the Year consideration, while James at age 40, has continued to play elite-level basketball.
But things for the Lakers took off in February when they traded star center, Anthony Davis, to acquire Doncic in what was considered the most shocking trade in NBA history. Doncic’s addition not only gave the franchise another superstar to pair with James, but it also gave them a star who could become the face of the team after James retires. He can be that guy for years to come. This helped them in February. The team went 10-2 and rose in the standings.
Playoff Outlook
Now that the Lakers have the three seed locked up, all that is left is to wait and see which opponent they will take on in the first round. With the Golden State Warriors currently holding the No. 6 seed, if they can beat the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, a Lakers-Warriors first round matchup may take place. Steph Curry will go up against James for the right to keep fighting for a fifth title. But if the Warriors lose, the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Memphis Grizzlies could likely jump up to the six, setting up a first round matchup against one of those two.
But make no mistake, the Lakers will be a scary team either way in the playoffs. With a lethal starting lineup of James, Doncic, and rising star, Reaves, combined with strong depth on the bench, any team that takes on the Lakers will need to spend extra time preparing for the star power. While the more recent Lakers’ teams have been known for coming up short in big moments, this year’s team has all the makings to make a deep run. They should be considered a serious contender to win it all.
Final Thoughts
The Lakers are good. The whole league needs to worry about them in the playoffs. The strong play of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets out of the West may have overshadowed what LA has been able to do this season. Now that it’s playoff time, anything can happen with any team that qualified. Do not be surprised if the Lakers end up as the last team standing.
