Lakers ride on Luka Doncic’s 39 to clinch No. 3 seed

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Luka Doncic takes over to power the Lakers to a key triumph over the Rockets as an injured LeBron James sits out in the second half

Luka Doncic recorded 39 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers clinched the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed with a solid 140-109 victory over the visiting Houston Rockets on Friday night, April 11 (Saturday, April 12, Manila time).

LeBron James had 14 points and 8 assists in 22 minutes before sitting out the final 19:27 with an apparent injury. 

James, who has been bothered by a left groin injury, grimaced just before being pulled in the third quarter and had his left leg/hip area taped but the team didn’t immediately announce an ailment.

Austin Reaves contributed 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, and Dorian Finney-Smith added 18 points on six three-pointers off the bench for the Lakers (50-31). 

Finney-Smith matched his season best for treys, previously achieved against Houston on March 31.

Rui Hachimura scored 16 points for Los Angeles, which shot 60.9% from the field and made 19 of 37 three-point attempts.

Cam Whitmore established career highs of 34 points and seven three-pointers for the Rockets (52-29), who held out several players for the second straight game. 

Reed Sheppard scored 14 points, Nate Williams added 12 and Aaron Holiday tallied 11.

Houston previously clinched the No. 2 seed and on Friday held out Dillon Brooks (rest), Tari Easton (left leg), Alperen Sengun (personal reasons), Jabari Smith Jr. (left groin), Amen Thompson (rest) and Fred VanVleet (right ankle).

Jalen Green scored 7 points in nearly 15 first-half minutes before watching the second half in street clothes. Green is bidding to play in all 82 regular-season games for the second straight campaign.

Houston shot 45.6% from the field, including 18-of-51 from three-point range.

Doncic scored 24 points in the first half, when the Lakers shot 65.9% from the field while taking a 78-56 advantage. Whitmore had 13 in the half for Houston.

Los Angeles led 38-32 after the first quarter and continued its strong play in the second and took a 65-44 lead on Finney-Smith’s trey with 4:54 remaining. Hachimura drained a three-pointer with 11 seconds left for the 22-point halftime bulge.

The Lakers continued to possess control in the third quarter. Doncic made three free throws with 0.1 seconds left to give Los Angeles a 107-87 lead.

Jarred Vanderbilt’s dunk made it 121-98 with 6:22 remaining in the half, leaving the only suspense to involve Bronny James. He entered with 4:23 to play and made his only 3-point attempt but missed his other three shots. – Rappler.com