The Los Angeles Lakers have returned to being just one game behind .500 after a strong 123-108 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Lakers had a historic first-half performance where they hit a franchise-record 15 threes. The players were really cooking and LeBron James came off the bench to celebrate with D’Angelo Russell.
LeBron James and D'Angelo Russell "ice in my veins" handshake 🥶pic.twitter.com/3QDvQKW8gK
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 15, 2023
The pair seemingly have incorporated D’Angelo Russell’s iconic ‘ice in my veins’ celebration into a handshake and used it after Russell hit a big shot. James often has elaborate handshakes with his teammates and it’s a good sign of team camaraderie that he’s already building relationships with the likes of Russell, and even Jarred Vanderbilt.
Are The Lakers Solidifying Their Playoff Spot?
With this win, the Lakers are now tied with the 8th-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the playoff race. With injuries on the Mavericks keeping Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic out for their next game against the San Antonio Spurs, the Lakers could take their spot soon. A matchup between the two teams on Friday will be crucial in deciding the Lakers’ hopes.
They are 2 games behind the Clippers in the 6th seed, another team they face later in the regular season. If the Lakers can reduce their deficit to the Clips to just one game, the winner of their clash on April 5 would be crucial to the seeding in the West.
The Lakers don’t own their head-to-head tiebreakers with either the Mavericks or the Clippers, so they have to find ways to outnumber their win tally. With the form that they’re on, it’s entirely possible. With LeBron James expected to return before the end of the season, the Lakers are a scary prospect for anyone in the West.
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