TITLE: Lakers Could Secure Playoff Spot and Pacific Division on Monday Night
SLUG: lakers-can-lock-up-playoff-spot-pacific-division-monday
CONTENT:
The Los Angeles Lakers have an opportunity to clinch both a postseason berth and the Pacific Division crown as early as Monday, March 30. A win over the Washington Wizards combined with a Phoenix Suns loss to the Memphis Grizzlies would wrap up both goals, according to NBA Communications.
Los Angeles enters the night holding a seven-game advantage over Phoenix with eight contests left on the schedule. Any combination of one Lakers victory and one Suns defeat would make the math impossible for Phoenix to overcome, effectively sealing the division for the second consecutive season under head coach JJ Redick.
Superstar guard Luka Doncic will not be available against Washington. He must serve a one-game suspension after receiving his 16th technical foul of the season during Friday’s win against the Brooklyn Nets. Redick said Doncic is “disappointed in himself” for leaving the team short-handed.
Marcus Smart (fourth straight game) and rookie Adou Thiero (third straight game) are also sidelined, leaving Los Angeles without three rotation players for the critical matchup at Crypto.com Arena.
While a division title is typically a secondary accomplishment for a franchise with championship aspirations, it would mark another milestone for Redick, who captured the Pacific in his debut season a year ago. The Lakers have surged lately behind an improved defense and timely contributions from role players, setting the stage for what they hope will be a deeper playoff run than last spring.
Source: LakersNation.com
