Tras la sufrida victoria de los Lakers ante los Rockets (104-98), un triunfo que puede valer su peso en oro al final de la liga regular, los angelinos consolidaron su cuarta posición en la Conferencia Oeste (46-29), lo que les garantizaría el factor cancha en primera ronda de playoffs. Ahora tienen dos triunfos de ventaja sobre Minnesota Timberwolves, séptimos y en zona de Play-In (44-32) tras ganar a los Nuggets.
LeBron James y de fondo LeBron James en un partido de los Lakers.
A los Wolves les quedan seis partidos de liga regular y a los Lakers, siete y parece improbable que Minnesota vaya a superarlos. En esta tesitura los Lakers miran ya más hacia arriba que hacia abajo. Están centrados en acabar entre los cuatro primeros para tener ese factor cancha en primera ronda de las eliminatorias por el título, en la que se medirían ahora mismo… a los Warriors de Curry, quintos (44-31) a dos triunfos y con siete partidos por disputar.
A por los Nuggets y los Rockets
Los Lakers están a un solo partido de los Denver Nuggets (47-29), que tienen seis partidos por delante. Y a 2,5 de los Rockets (49-27). Están cerca de asegurar el desempate contra los Nuggets (mejor récord en la Conferencia) y lo tendrán también contra los de Houston si ganan el último enfrentamiento de la temporada regular entre ambos en Los Ángeles el 11 de abril.
Hablamos de la clasificación en grupo, pero siempre digo que debemos ir partido a partido. No se puede mirar hacia adelante. Cada partido es un reto diferente
Y para asegurar la cuarta plaza los Lakers mantienen una ventaja de dos victorias sobre los Memphis Grizzlies (44-32) y de 2 partidos sobre los Golden State Warriors (44-31 ), a los que se enfrentarán en el Crypto.com Arena en la madrugada del jueves al viernes (4.00 h). Una victoria allí casi les aseguraría mantenerse entre los cuatro primeros y tener factor cancha en el primer cruce.
Luka Doncic y LeBron James se saludan durante un partido de los Lakers.
Claro que el calendario no es muy favorable que se diga para los angelinos, ya que cuatro de los siete partidos que les quedan deberán jugarlos a domicilio y tendrá que visitar dos veces en un ‘back to back’ terrible a los Thunder, líderes del Oeste (63-12) y que ahora mismo juegan en otra liga con los Cavaliers.
Una hoja de ruta complicada
Primero recibirán a Warriors y Pelicans en casa, luego jugarán dos partidos en Oklahoma y otro en Dallas, en un partido de alto voltaje emocional en el que Doncic volverá a la que fue su casa. Recibirán a los Rockets en el crypto.com y cerrarán la liga regula en Portland. No es desde luego una hoja de ruta sencilla, ni mucho menos.
No miro a diario la clasificación, pero se habla de ella casi todo el tiempo. Nuestra misión es asegurar un puesto en los playoffs y no jugar un play-in, sabemos lo que está en juego
Las dos grandes estrellas de los Lakers admiten que tienen entre ceja y ceja los playoffs, pero cada uno con su filosofía. Luka Doncic se muestra más comedido: “Pensamos un poco en la clasificación. Hablamos de ello principalmente en grupo. Pero simplemente debemos ir partido a partido, y eso es lo que siempre digo. No se puede mirar hacia adelante. Debemos ir partido a partido. Cada partido es un reto diferente, así que simplemente debemos ir partido a partido”. Hasta tres veces repite el mantra del ‘cholismo’ un madridista confeso como él.
La temporada más reñida
LeBron James es más realista y no oculta, con precauciones, el gran objetivo de su equipo en este momento: “Bueno, este año en particular está muy reñido, tan reñido que la gente se adelanta, se queda atrás. Sea como sea, no lo miro a diario, pero se habla de ello casi todo el tiempo, y uno sabe dónde está. Para nosotros, obviamente, nuestra misión es asegurar un puesto en los playoffs y no tener que jugar un play-in, así que entendemos lo que está en juego”.
Fuera de la cancha el ambiente es genial. Todos bromeando en el vestuario. Y cuando necesitamos concentrarnos, lo hacemos. Así que la química está en su punto justo ahora
Pase lo que pase, y al margen del juego, lo que parece claro es que el vestuario de los Lakers es una piña, como se encarga de recordar Doncic cada vez que se le pregunta por el ambiente del equipo: “Bueno, ni siquiera hemos tenido una cena todos juntos todavía. Teníamos tantos partidos seguidos que no tuvimos tiempo para eso. Pero fuera de la cancha el ambiente es genial. Todos bromeando en el vestuario. Luego, cuando necesitamos concentrarnos, lo hacemos. Así que la química está en su punto justo ahora”.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Bears draft Luther Burden III in Round 2: Why Chicago deserves ‘A+’ grade for stopping fall of Missouri WR
Getty Images The Chicago Bears have spent this offseason trying to build around quarterback Caleb Williams. Chicago hired the offensive-minded Ben Johnson as head coach, added three new starters on the offensive line and drafted tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. With their second pick in the draft at No. 39 overall, the Bears added a dynamic wide receiver in Luther Burden III from Missouri.CBS Sports compared the two-time first-team All-SEC wideout to another former SEC star, Deebo Samuel, and ranked him as the No. 2 wide receiver in this class behind Tetairoa McMillan, if we exclude Travis Hunter. Burden led the SEC in receptions (192) from 2022-24. He also recorded the second-most receiving yards (2,263) and receiving touchdowns (21) in the conference in that same timeframe.CBS Sports NFL Draft expert […]
Browns draft Quinshon Judkins: Fantasy Football outlook for 2025, impact on Jerome Ford, and more
Jamie Schwaberow / Getty Images Quinshon Judkins was the first running back drafted on Day 2, going before teammate TreVeyon Henderson, who many viewed as a potential Round 1 pick. Judkins' new team is a mixed bag of a landing spot. It sure looks like Joe Flacco will be their starting quarterback and the offensive line is average at best. On the positive side, Judkins should be able to earn the lion's share of early down snaps in training camp.How you feel about Judkins as a running back prospect likely depends on whether you are a film guy or a stat guy. The advanced stats and the more traditional stats paint a less-than-exciting picture, though he did rush for 3,785 yards and 45 touchdowns in three college seasons. We had a great debate about Judkins on Fantasy Football Today Dynasty […]
Cowboys draft edge Donovan Ezeiruaku: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
The Dallas Cowboys selected Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku with the No. 44 pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.Ezeiruaku started all 12 games he played in as a senior in 2024, posting 80 tackles, 20 1/2 tackles for loss, 16 1/2 sacks, three forced fumbles and a pass defended on the way to a consensus All-American selection and the Ted Hendricks Award.AdvertisementHe was the FBS leader in sacks per game (1.38) in his final college season. He also led the ACC in both tackles for loss and sacks and was the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year and an All-ACC first-team selection. His tackles, tackles for loss and sacks totals in 2024 were all career bests, while his forced fumbles tied a career high.Ezeiruaku played in 47 games during his four seasons at Boston College, starting […]
2025 NFL Draft: Jets finally get their TE with LSU’s Mason Taylor, son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor
Many mock drafts had the New York Jets taking a tight end with the seventh pick of the draft. The Jets got their tight end, it just took a little longer.The Jets, who took offensive tackle Armand Membou in the first round, selected LSU tight end Mason Taylor in the second round. Taylor is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor who played for the Jets (seriously, the longtime Miami Dolphins defensive end spent his second-to-last season with the Jets).AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Jets passed on Brock Bowers last year in the draft and passed on Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland in this draft, both times to take offensive linemen. But the Jets ended up with an intriguing tight end who could start for them fairly soon. Tight end was one of the Jets' biggest needs this offseason.Taylor wasn't overly […]
Patriots draft TreVeyon Henderson in Round 2: How Ohio State RB will make Drake Maye’s life easier
USATSI The New England Patriots used their first pick at the 2025 NFL Draft to protect Drake Maye with Will Campbell, and now the organization is using its second pick to give their young quarterback a weapon. With the 38th overall pick, the club selected Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson is looked at as one of the more explosive backs in this class, which will be a welcome sight for a New England offense that has been lacking game-breaking talent at the skill positions for quite a while. The 22-year-old was a key piece to the Buckeyes' championship run during the College Football Playoff while splitting time with fellow back Quinshon Judkins. Throughout 16 total games played, Henderson rushed for 1,016 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 27 receptions for 284 yards receiving and another touchdown. TreVeyon Henderson NFL Draft […]
Jets draft TE Mason Taylor: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
The New York Jets have selected LSU tight end Mason Taylor with the 42nd pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. As the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor and the nephew of Hall of Fame linebacker Zach Thomas, Mason Taylor has NFL bloodlines.Over three seasons, Taylor was the most productive tight end in LSU history with a school record 129 receptions for 1,308 yards. He also added six touchdowns in his college career. The 2024 season saw Taylor post career highs in receptions (55) and yards (546) en route to a third-team All-SEC selection for Brian Kelly’s squad. His top game of the season came in the Tigers’ 34-17 win over UCLA on Sept. 21 when Taylor hauled in eight passes for 77 yards, both season highs.Taylor ranked third among tight […]
Related
Bears draft Luther Burden III in Round 2: Why Chicago deserves ‘A+’ grade for stopping fall of Missouri WR
Getty Images The Chicago Bears have spent this offseason trying to build around quarterback Caleb Williams. Chicago hired the offensive-minded Ben Johnson as head coach, added three new starters on the offensive line and drafted tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. With their second pick in the draft at No. 39 overall, the Bears added a dynamic wide receiver in Luther Burden III from Missouri.CBS Sports compared the two-time first-team All-SEC wideout to another former SEC star, Deebo Samuel, and ranked him as the No. 2 wide receiver in this class behind Tetairoa McMillan, if we exclude Travis Hunter. Burden led the SEC in receptions (192) from 2022-24. He also recorded the second-most receiving yards (2,263) and receiving touchdowns (21) in the conference in that same timeframe.CBS Sports NFL Draft expert […]
Browns draft Quinshon Judkins: Fantasy Football outlook for 2025, impact on Jerome Ford, and more
Jamie Schwaberow / Getty Images Quinshon Judkins was the first running back drafted on Day 2, going before teammate TreVeyon Henderson, who many viewed as a potential Round 1 pick. Judkins' new team is a mixed bag of a landing spot. It sure looks like Joe Flacco will be their starting quarterback and the offensive line is average at best. On the positive side, Judkins should be able to earn the lion's share of early down snaps in training camp.How you feel about Judkins as a running back prospect likely depends on whether you are a film guy or a stat guy. The advanced stats and the more traditional stats paint a less-than-exciting picture, though he did rush for 3,785 yards and 45 touchdowns in three college seasons. We had a great debate about Judkins on Fantasy Football Today Dynasty […]
Cowboys draft edge Donovan Ezeiruaku: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
The Dallas Cowboys selected Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku with the No. 44 pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.Ezeiruaku started all 12 games he played in as a senior in 2024, posting 80 tackles, 20 1/2 tackles for loss, 16 1/2 sacks, three forced fumbles and a pass defended on the way to a consensus All-American selection and the Ted Hendricks Award.AdvertisementHe was the FBS leader in sacks per game (1.38) in his final college season. He also led the ACC in both tackles for loss and sacks and was the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year and an All-ACC first-team selection. His tackles, tackles for loss and sacks totals in 2024 were all career bests, while his forced fumbles tied a career high.Ezeiruaku played in 47 games during his four seasons at Boston College, starting […]
2025 NFL Draft: Jets finally get their TE with LSU’s Mason Taylor, son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor
Many mock drafts had the New York Jets taking a tight end with the seventh pick of the draft. The Jets got their tight end, it just took a little longer.The Jets, who took offensive tackle Armand Membou in the first round, selected LSU tight end Mason Taylor in the second round. Taylor is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor who played for the Jets (seriously, the longtime Miami Dolphins defensive end spent his second-to-last season with the Jets).AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Jets passed on Brock Bowers last year in the draft and passed on Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland in this draft, both times to take offensive linemen. But the Jets ended up with an intriguing tight end who could start for them fairly soon. Tight end was one of the Jets' biggest needs this offseason.Taylor wasn't overly […]
Patriots draft TreVeyon Henderson in Round 2: How Ohio State RB will make Drake Maye’s life easier
USATSI The New England Patriots used their first pick at the 2025 NFL Draft to protect Drake Maye with Will Campbell, and now the organization is using its second pick to give their young quarterback a weapon. With the 38th overall pick, the club selected Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson is looked at as one of the more explosive backs in this class, which will be a welcome sight for a New England offense that has been lacking game-breaking talent at the skill positions for quite a while. The 22-year-old was a key piece to the Buckeyes' championship run during the College Football Playoff while splitting time with fellow back Quinshon Judkins. Throughout 16 total games played, Henderson rushed for 1,016 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 27 receptions for 284 yards receiving and another touchdown. TreVeyon Henderson NFL Draft […]
Jets draft TE Mason Taylor: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
The New York Jets have selected LSU tight end Mason Taylor with the 42nd pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. As the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor and the nephew of Hall of Fame linebacker Zach Thomas, Mason Taylor has NFL bloodlines.Over three seasons, Taylor was the most productive tight end in LSU history with a school record 129 receptions for 1,308 yards. He also added six touchdowns in his college career. The 2024 season saw Taylor post career highs in receptions (55) and yards (546) en route to a third-team All-SEC selection for Brian Kelly’s squad. His top game of the season came in the Tigers’ 34-17 win over UCLA on Sept. 21 when Taylor hauled in eight passes for 77 yards, both season highs.Taylor ranked third among tight […]
Be the first to leave a comment