The NBA playoffs are finally all set after the games on Wednesday and the Los Angeles Lakers made it in as a seven seed after being at eight for most of the year with a win over the Houston Rockets in overtime behind a triple double from Pau Gasol.
The Rockets now are in the eighth seed and James Harden will now get the chance to face his old team in the Oklahoma City Thunder, as they traded him before the season began. The 99-95 win came despite the injury to Kobe Bryant and the Lakers will now play the Spurs in the first round. Steve Blake had 24 points for the Lakers, while Howard added a double of 16 points and 18 rebounds. Gasol was key, making 20 rebounds with 17 points and 11 assists for his second career triple double and the Lakers turned what looked like a lost season into a playoff appearance.
The team has now won two straight without Bryant and now will have to make the postseason run without him as well. The Jazz lost out on the final playoff spot with a loss and now the Thunder will play the Rockets in the first round in what should be a very exciting series.
In the Eastern conference the Miami Heat will take on the Bucks in what should be an easy series, while the New York Knicks will play the Boston Celtics in the two-seven matchup. The Indiana Pacers will play the Atlanta Hawks in the three-six matchup, while the Brooklyn Nets and the Chicago Bulls will play in the four five match.
In the West the Thunder and Rockets will square off, while the Lakers and Spurs will battle in the two seven matchup. The Denver Nuggets will play the Golden State Warriors in the three-six matchup, while the Clippers and Grizzlies will play in the four five. Prediction? Heat go all the way again.
