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Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Utah Jazz 116- 108 behind a dominant performance by Anthony Davis. The Lakers have clinched the top seed in the Western Conference for the first time in 10 years, the team has not won a playoff game since 2012. Davis, who was drafted in 2012 and is currently favored as the defensive player of the year, scored 42 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists. The prospective DPOY has been playing more like an MVP, showing mastery of his game on opponents that are incapable of containing his versatile big-man skillset. 

Lebron James, the league leader in assists, chipped in (22p, 8r, 9a). Since LBJ arrived here in the Summer of 2018, the city has had championship buzz and dynasty aspirations. It is truly coming to fruition now; the last time the Lakers locked up the #1 seed, Kobe Bryant led his ball-club to championship glory in earning his fifth and final NBA Finals ring. 

In many ways, Laker’s season is dedicated to the late, great Bryant. The Laker Legend is honored daily, a “KB” patch is worn on the team’s jerseys. In a postgame interview, Davis reflected on how the Black Mamba is still motivating the team; “…I know he’s looking down on us and cheering us on, so we want to do it for him.”

The Lakeshow has showed out while in the NBA bubble in Orlando, Fla. They have only dropped one out of three while gaining bragging rights over their hometown rivals and likely Western Conference Finals competitor, the LA clippers. There have been some weaknesses, like losing to the Defending Champion Toronto Raptors who have quick and dynamic guard play. However, with the #1 seed locked up, these are things the Lakers’ staff and team will tweak as we look ahead to the 2020 playoffs.