It's a bit difficult writing about a game that you're not attending, especially when the venue where you're covering a different game in a different sport has internet connectivity issues even though it went through a much-publicized $100 million makeover.
But here it is. Earlier in the evening the Utah Jazz lost to the Memphis Grizzlies 86-70 which clinched a playoff berth for the Lakers before their game started. But of course they would have preferred a seven-seed which would pit them against the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. All they had to do was beat the Houston Rockets.
It looked doubtful at times. The Rockets led by as much as 11 points in the third quarter. Even when the Lakers took the lead in the fourth quarter, they gave up an insane buzzer-beating three pointer to Chandler Parsons to send it to overtime.
The Lakers didn't let that get them down. They took care of business and clinched the seven-seed in overtime 99-95. The several hundred who remained at the Dodger game in the ninth inning when they showed the highlights on the videoboard cheered.
Pau Gasol notched his seventh career triple-double with 17 points, 20 rebounds and 11 assists. Dwight Howard added a double-double with 16 points and 18 rebounds.
The Lakers playoff schedule is as follows:
Game 1 - Sun April 21: L.A. Lakers at San Antonio 12:30PM PT ABC/R
Game 2 - Wed April 24: L.A. Lakers at San Antonio 6:30PM PT TWCS/TNT
Game 3 - Fri April 26: San Antonio at L.A. Lakers 7:30PM PT TWCS/ESPN
Game 4 - Sun April 28: San Antonio at L.A. Lakers 4:00PM PT TWCS/TNT
Game 5 * - Tue April 30: L.A. Lakers at San Antonio TWCS/TBD TBD
Game 6 * - Thu May 2: San Antonio at L.A. Lakers TWCS/TBD TBD
Game 7 * - Sat May 4: L.A. Lakers at San Antonio TWCS/TBD TBD
Meanwhile the Clippers clinched the four-seed and home court advantage in their 112-108 victory over the Sacramento Kings. They will face a rematch against the Memphis Grizzlies. Here is their schedule:
Game 1 - Sat April 20 Memphis at L.A. Clippers 10:30PM ESPN
Game 2 - Mon April 22: Memphis at L.A. Clippers 10:30PM TNT
Game 3 - Thu April 25: L.A. Clippers at Memphis 9:30PM TNT
Game 4 - Sat April 27: L.A. Clippers at Memphis 4:30PM TNT
Game 5 * Tue April 30: Memphis at L.A. Clippers
Game 6 * Fri May 3: L.A. Clippers at Memphis
Game 7 * Sun May 5: Memphis at L.A. Clippers
