Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
The Lakers got a big win over the Suns.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP.)
The Lakers needed this victory. Not only to show that they can still beat a top team in the West but also to keep up with Portland to avoid the play-in series. It kind of sent a message about how it doesn’t matter where the Lakers end up in the postseason seedings but rather where they would end up in the postseason itself. And we know that, despite the record, they’re still gunning for the second straight championship.
Another thing that we saw? Anthony Davis has been fantastic the last two games.
It has been no secret that Davis hasn’t had a season that’s been up to his usual standards. A lot of us were focused on the loss to Portland that Davis’s 36-12-5 performance got shoved to the side. Well, the Lakers beat the Suns and now Davis’s game looked more glowing. 42-12-5. And then we add 3 swats and 3 thefts.
He looked way more aggressive, too, as he got to the line 15 and 17 times the last two games. Maybe he actually has felt better after he had back spasms against the Clippers. This is the Davis that the Lakers need even when LeBron James comes back. And if LeBron comes back to his usual self, paired with this version of Davis would be devastating. We’ve probably said this before in the past but they would look like the most dangerous #6 or #7 seed ever in the postseason.
Of course, there’s always that chance that they don’t look healthy going into the postseason. This last week of the regular season is going to be interesting. And if they’re not healthy and they end up at #7 for the play-in, a bad couple of days could do them in. Remember that even after this game with Phoenix, the Lakers are only 3-8 in their last 11 games. After the Knicks, they should be able to warm up against the three remaining opponents in Houston (a bad team), Indiana (a team in chaos), and New Orleans (who are likely not going to have Zion Williamson).
Still, even with the teams that might target the Lakers in the play-in or the postseason, I like the Lakers’ chances of advancing and going far. As long as they are healthy, that is. Davis looking like he did the last two games is a great start.
Bullet Passes
Terry Rozier scored a career-high 43 points but it wasn’t enough as they were edged out by the Pelicans. The Spurs are in a bit of a swoon and are only 1.5 games ahead of New Orleans.
I guess Boston never did turn that corner, after all. Isn’t it wild that the Lakers and Celtics, both teams that made it to the conference finals (with the Lakers eventually winning it all), could potentially be in the play-in games?
The Bulls, who fell out of the play-in spots, a few weeks ago, have won three straight and have a chance to knock out the Pacers, who are only 2.5 games ahead of them. But they’re also running out of games; the Bulls only have four left while the Pacers still have five.
Mathematically, the Raptors are still in the running for the play-in but any loss by them or any win by the Pacers knocks them out. What a sad season it turned out to be for Toronto, who were known for their resiliency last season and were champs just two seasons ago.
Big win by the Knicks against the Clippers. They continue to defy logic and making the playoffs is academic at this point.
I also just realized that the Lakers would go against the Warriors in the play-in as of now. That is SUCH a dangerous game for the Lakers. Woof.
NBA Scoreboard
May 9, 2021
Watch This Play
Davis caps off his night with this spectacular alley-oop jam.
💥 @AntDavis23 punctuates the @Lakers home W! 💥 pic.twitter.com/fDmWrw0Ok7
— NBA (@NBA) May 10, 2021
Maybe we should ask other teams if they’re ready for the Lakers.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.