The Western Conference playoff race remains tight behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, and the Los Angeles Lakers have strengthened their position by locking up season-series tiebreakers against three direct competitors.
Rockets: 2-1 to Los Angeles
Houston routed the Lakers on Christmas Day, but Los Angeles answered with consecutive victories at Toyota Center, turning the series in its favor. Luka Doncic has averaged 33.7 points in the three meetings, including an almost flawless shooting night in the second win, while LeBron James joined him in closing out both road games.
Timberwolves: 3-0 sweep
After falling to Minnesota in last year’s first round, the Lakers responded by sweeping this season’s three-game set. Two of those wins came in the opening week, one decided by an Austin Reaves buzzer-beating floater with both Doncic and James sidelined. The third victory arrived during Los Angeles’ current streak, powered by a dominant second half from Doncic and Reaves. Doncic is averaging nearly a 40-point triple-double against Minnesota, and Reaves is posting 28.0 points and 11.7 assists per game.
Nuggets: 2-1 edge
Los Angeles clinched the tiebreaker over Denver by winning an overtime thriller in the final matchup of the season. Doncic and Reaves combined for 62 points that night. The Lakers had taken the first contest in January behind Doncic’s 38 points, while Denver claimed the second game in early March. Over the three meetings, Doncic is averaging 31.7 points, 11.7 rebounds and 10 assists.
Suns: Currently 1-3
Phoenix is the lone contender holding a tiebreaker over the Lakers. The Suns won two of three December games, and a Royce O’Neale three-pointer with 0.9 seconds left delivered their third victory despite Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks sitting out. One game between the teams remains on the schedule.
With four teams separated by only a few games, those secured season series give the Lakers a valuable cushion as the regular season winds down.
Source: Lakers Nation
