Lakers Hold Off Rockets in Playoff Seeding Battle with Gritty Home Victory
As the NBA regular season winds down, every game feels like a must-win for the Los Angeles Lakers. With a razor-thin margin separating teams in the ultra-competitive Western Conference, the Lakers are determined to control their own destiny. Monday night’s 104-98 victory over the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena was a statement win—one that keeps them in the hunt for a top playoff seed while avoiding the dreaded play-in tournament.
A Hard-Fought Battle at Crypto.com Arena
From the opening tip, the intensity was evident. The Rockets, holding onto the second seed in the West, came in looking to solidify their standing. The Lakers, sitting in fourth place, knew a win would bring them closer to the top.
LeBron James, as always, rose to the occasion. Though he finished with a modest 16 points, his impact in the clutch proved invaluable. With 11.1 seconds left, James iced the game with two free throws. Moments later, he delivered a game-sealing block on Alperen Sengun, securing the win and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
“This year in particular, it’s so close, and people are jumping each other, falling behind, whatever the case may be,” James said postgame. “For us, our mission is to lock in a playoff spot and not have to play in the play-in.”
The Unsung Heroes: Finney-Smith & Vincent Step Up
While James’ late-game heroics stole the spotlight, two unexpected contributors carried the Lakers through the night.
Dorian Finney-Smith, coming off the bench, had his best game of the season with 20 points, knocking down six of 11 three-pointers. His defensive presence was just as crucial, tallying three blocks and battling Houston’s physical big man, Steven Adams, throughout the contest.
“It feels good when guys like [Doncic] and LeBron are telling me to shoot,” Finney-Smith said. “It could be the other way around.”
Gabe Vincent matched Finney-Smith’s output, also scoring 20 points while sinking six of 13 three-pointers. His ability to stretch the floor and make timely plays gave the Lakers a much-needed offensive boost.
“I think you just go out there and compete,” Vincent said. “You keep winning the most important thing.”
Doncic Fights Through Injury
Luka Doncic, playing through pain, struggled with his shot but still managed to contribute. He finished with 20 points, nine assists, and six rebounds despite shooting just 6-of-16 from the field. After the game, Doncic admitted that his elbow felt “terrible” but assured fans he’d be ready for Thursday’s showdown against the Warriors.
“We played hard,” Doncic said. “We just went out and wanted to get a win.”
What This Means for the Playoff Race
With the victory, the Lakers (46-29) closed the gap in the standings. They now sit just 2.5 games behind the second-seeded Rockets (49-27) and only one game behind the third-seeded Denver Nuggets.
The playoff picture remains unpredictable, but one thing is clear: The Lakers are not backing down. With another matchup against Houston looming on April 11, the battle for seeding is far from over.
“Everybody is paying attention. Let’s be honest,” Finney-Smith said about the standings. “We don’t want to be in the play-in, so every game matters.”
The Lakers’ mission is simple—keep winning and secure the best playoff position possible. Monday night was just the beginning.
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