The Los Angeles Lakers' picked up a 104-98 win over the Houston Rockets to push themselves closer to reaching the 50-win mark for the first time in five seasons. It was a tough win for the Lakers, who relied on bench contributions to cover up the rough night for their big three - Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves.
Doncic reflected honestly about how the trio is getting along, admitting that this was their worst game together but seeming happy about the progress they're making in building chemistry as teammates.
"Great, I think that was our worst game as a trio. I think we shared the ball great, everybody was getting their shots, pick-and-pop, pick-and-roll, everybody was involved, and that's how we like to play."
Doncic was happy to leave this Playoff-caliber game with a win and is not overthinking the future without dealing with the challenges in front of the squad.
"We battled. We said before the game that it would be like a Playoff game, and it was. The physicality was tough, but we battled through it... Just go it game by game. Can't look forward, go game-by-game. Every game's gonna be a battle, and we're gonna try and win every game.
This wasn't the kind of performance we've come to expect from the trio. Doncic had 20 points (6-16 FG), six rebounds, nine assists, and two steals. while LeBron had 18 points (5-12 FG), eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks. Austin Reaves managed 12 points (5-11 FG), eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Exactly 50 points on 30 shot attempts isn't ideal for a trio that's expected to be leading the team's offense. Thankfully, Dorian Finney-Smith put up 20 points (6-13 FG), six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and three blocks off the bench, alongside Gabe Vincent's 20 points (6-14 FG).
Doncic had a role to play in Finney-Smith's scoring outburst, repeatedly encouraging his former Mavericks teammate to shoot more when he got open looks.
"I told DoeDoe he had to shoot more; he was open like 3-4 times, and he wasn't shooting. That's what I told him."
This comment clearly motivated Finney-Smith to be the difference-maker in the team's win, as he nailed six three-pointers and was their best defender on the night.
This win has improved the Lakers' record to 46-29, helping them solidify their hold over the No. 4 seed in the Conference. They're just one game behind the No. 3 seeded Denver Nuggets, and their win over the Rockets has brought them 2.5 games behind the Texas-based franchise who are the current occupants of the No. 2 seed.
The Lakers don't look ready to beat a team like the history-making OKC Thunder over a seven-game Playoff series, but their remaining games this season will show if they're ready for a challenge like that before the regular season ends.
