The Los Angeles Lakers had two specific goals entering Friday’s clash against the Houston Rockets: to secure the third seed and their 50th win.
The Rockets made those tasks easier by resting nearly all their starters and rotational players, but the Lakers still needed to take care of business, which they did with a dominant 140-109 victory.
For Luka Doncic, the third seed means a little more. The Slovenian guided the Mavericks to two Conference Finals, including one trip to the NBA Finals, without ever enjoying home-court advantage. But he views the third seed as a pathway to his elusive NBA championship.
While addressing reporters after a game-high 39 points on Friday, Doncic echoed teammate Austin Reaves’ sentiments that the Lakers have all the tools to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June.
“This is my first time having home court advantage, so I’m really excited about it,” Doncic said. “That was our goal over the last 5-6 games of the season — to lock up the third seed… Our only goal now is [to win a championship]. I think we have the team to do it. When everybody is locked in, we’re a hard team to beat, so that’s our goal.”
Friday’s win also meant the Lakers will enjoy a nine-day rest period ahead of the playoffs and can afford to rest their key players in Sunday’s season-finale against the Trail Blazers. Doncic admitted the rest is a godsend for his team.
