TITLE: Lakers Drop Third Straight, Home-Court Advantage Now in Jeopardy
SLUG: lakers-slide-home-court-risk
CONTENT:
The Los Angeles Lakers absorbed a 123-87 defeat to the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, extending their losing streak to three games and tightening the race for home-court advantage in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Los Angeles entered the night without Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes—four regular starters and a key reserve sidelined by injuries. The short-handed lineup fell behind quickly and never threatened, trailing by double digits for most of the contest.
Just a week ago, the Lakers sat third in the West after winning 13 of 14. They have since slipped to fourth, with the Houston Rockets closing the gap for the No. 4 spot. Dropping to fifth would cost Los Angeles home-court advantage in the opening round, though falling to sixth is not currently a concern.
Even if the Lakers hold position, a potential second-round meeting with Oklahoma City looms. Ongoing health issues for Doncic and Reaves add to the uncertainty surrounding the team’s postseason outlook.
Oddsmakers have reacted to the slide; Los Angeles is now listed around 300-to-1 to win the NBA title after being considered a dangerous matchup only a week earlier.
Source: Hoops Wire
