Ideal Lakers scenario is rapidly unfolding for the Rockets

The Rockets are licking their lips at the prospect of playing an injured Lakers team in the first round, and everything is falling into place to make that happen. Last night, the Rockets picked up another win while the Lakers suffered a loss, moving both teams one step closer to a 4 vs 5 matchup where the Rockets could have homecourt advantage. After an embattled season, this outcome would be a blessing for Houston to start the playoffs.

The Lakers look more vulnerable than ever

Los Angeles has now dropped two straight and lost their top two scorers in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to injury. Last night, they had no answer for rookie Cooper Flagg. He torched them on his way to 45 points and a win. The thought of what Kevin Durant can do against such a porous defense is captivating for Rockets fans.

Durant may have some playoff weaknesses, but scoring against an uninspired defense isn’t one of them. The Lakers haven’t been consistent enough on defense this season to inspire any confidence in their ability to get playoff stops. Instead, the Rockets could feast on them with Durant and company generating consistent good looks.

The Rockets are doing everything right going into the playoffs

The timing couldn’t be better for the Rockets, who are on a hot streak winning 6 in a row. They were even able to overcome a feared opponent in Stephen Curry last night, as the superstar guard made his on-court return after 2 months of injury. The Rockets have now won 8 of their last 10 and are carrying great momentum into the postseason.

At 49-29, they are also only one game back of the Lakers and Nuggets for the third seed in the West. However, the Rockets have lost the head-to-head tiebreaker against both teams this season, so they’re running out of time to finish in third. Still, the Rockets should be happy with even a fifth-place finish if it means playing the Lakers.

Houston also has a chance to catch the Lakers if LA continues to lose. The Lakers have some tough games remaining against the Thunder, Warriors and Suns before the season ends. All three teams could still be fighting for playoff positioning in those games and give their best against the ailing Lakers.

Meanwhile, the Rockets have very winnable games coming up - the Suns, 76ers, Timberwolves and Grizzlies. Although three of those teams have postseason ambitions, none are at full strength right now. If the Rockets can run that gauntlet and keep their win streak going, they’ll give themselves a great shot at drawing the right opponent in the playoffs. In the best case scenario, they might even be able to steal home court advantage from the Lakers.