Los Angeles – After the Los Angeles Lakers He beat Houston on Friday night To ensure the title of the Pacific division and the third seed in the playoffs with its 50th victory of the season, its celebration after the game was wild and wet.
The jubilant screams and the roars from their wardrobe were heard through the cement walls of the tunnel in its center sand. The aquatic element of the festivities became obvious moments later when coach JJ Redick emerged with damp hair and with a green sweatshirt from Philadelphia Eagles, which called “the only dry garment I have.”
“With luck, in the next nine days, the $ 17,000 in damage to the carpet can be solved,” said Redick jokingly. “There were about eight ice cubes that put me.”
Redick and his players had earned some fun moments. A team led by a rookie coach and LeBron James has sailed through a massive mid -season exchange, survived several recent setbacks and emerged as a clear contender for a deep playoff race.
And maybe even a challenge of the title for a franchise with 17 banners already in the beams?
“I feel that we can win a championship, to be honest with you,” said Austin Reaves. “The reason for this is that I know everyone in that wardrobe they believe that.”
James did not talk to the media after the game, but Luka Doncic echoed the evaluation of Reaves of the belief of the Lakers as a championship after they concluded the division with their seventh victory in 10 games in the section.
“I think we have the team to do it,” said Doncic, who scored 39 points in three quarters against the rockets. “When everyone is locked up, we are a difficult team to win, so that is our goal.”
The objective seems increasingly realistic, which is even more impressive because this version of the Lakers has only been together for two months.
Doncic played his first game for Los Angeles on February 10, several days after the Dallas Mavericks surprised the world of basketball When treating the Slovenian superstar In a package for Anthony Davis. The Lakers have 19-12 since then, not an amazing record, but one that stands out given the agitation they have faced.
“The boys who have been here all the time, passed through each peak and valley,” said Redick. “I think that even this third iteration of this team has gone through a lot of spikes and valleys. Only incredibly proud of our team. It is an achievement to win 50 games in the regular season in any year, particularly this year, at this west conference.”
The Lakers now have one of the best NBA scorers in their alignment next to the top scorer in the history of basketball, and the association is increasingly attractive.
Doncic and James combined for 53 points in 53 minutes against rockets in what was probably their final departure before the playoffs begin next weekend. Los Angeles also ended 31-10 at home, registering the third best record in the League.
Maintaining seed No. 3 means that Lakers can rest their best players on Sunday in Portland, and everyone can have a free time next week while the game tournament occurs. Los Angeles had to go through the game games in each of the previous two seasons after finishing seventh in the west with James and Anthony Davis.
When the Lakers finally learn their confrontation of First Round on Sunday, they can start preparing mentally for the final chapter in a season full of drama, but still lack a Hollywood end.
“I was joking with my best friend the other day, talking about how I feel that this year they have been five years, but again, it seems that it has just started at the same time,” said Reaves. “As much as this group has passed, every time we reach any type of adversity, we recover, and that is all that can ask a group.”
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