Ugly — it is the perfect word to describe what the Los Angeles Lakers' tight 100-92 win over the Houston Rockets looked like on Monday night. Many could not believe this was the same team blitzing through their competition of late. That is odd, because great teams win bad games too.
The Rockets are a talented defensive group with plenty of length, switchability, and potential to blow up an offensive gameplan. The Lakers took on the challenge, grinded out a defensive-oriented basketball game, and proved it was yet another manner in which they could win.
Luka Doncic still had a flamethrower on offense, Marcus Smart and the defense tightened up, and even Deandre Ayton had his encouraging moments down the stretch with timely rebounding. It may have looked ugly, but it was actually a great team win. JJ Redick recognized this.
Redick said: "They've got five really good defenders out there. It's really hard to generate good offense. I thought we made the right play consistently. ... We've got to have a playoff mentality this time of year, and I thought our guys did that, and they executed it really well."
Lakers are already showing they can compete in playoff basketball
With how competitive the Western Conference is every year, the need for playoff-like basketball starts well before the postseason actually begins in the spring. This was one of those games for the Lakers. Just a few months ago, thinking Los Angeles could slug out a defensive dog fight would have been a little absurd. Midway through March, they are doing it.
Since the All-Star break, the Lakers are tied with the Detroit Pistons for the 11th-best unit on the back end in the entire league. Los Angeles has posted a defensive rating of 112.1 during that time. Both teams just barely trail the Toronto Raptors (111.7) for that 10th spot.
It is a massive step up from the team they were before the pause in action. Before the All-Star break, the Lakers posted a defensive rating of 116.6. That had them ranked 23rd in the NBA.
For all the talk about how bad of a unit the Lakers should have on defense with Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James, they have proven themselves capable of finding that extra gear. It is more than a welcomed sight ahead of the time of year that demands balance on both ends.
In the span of a week, the Lakers have now beaten three potential first-round matchups. The Minnesota Timberwolves went down on March 10, the Denver Nuggets lost on March 14, and the Rockets got handed this most recent result.
Each of those wins looked considerably different. The Lakers pummeled the Timberwolves with a great third quarter. Los Angeles went down to the wire in a theatrical win over Denver. Now, they have won ugly in Houston.
Being able to win in all these types of ways should say a lot about their readiness for postseason basketball. The Lakers have already found that form, and will aim to hone it before April.