History suggests Lakers will reach NBA Finals
Luka Doncic had 22 points, five rebounds and five assists within the first half of the Lakers' 94-85 Game 2 win over the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
What's the relevancy of his first-half stats, you ask?
The last two Lakers to record a 20/5/5 half in the playoffs went on to reach the NBA Finals — Anthony Davis (2020) and Kobe Bryant (2004). The latter couldn't complete the mission as the Lakers faltered, 4-1, to the Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals. However, Davis did win it all.
There are other historical precedents working in the Lakers' favor.
JJ Redick is the first Lakers rookie head coach to win 50 games and the Pacific Division since Pat Riley in 1981-82. Riley coached the team to a 50-21 record after the Lakers fired Paul Westhead just 11 games into the new season. Riley would ultimately capture a championship in his first season as a head coach in the NBA.
History would repeat itself if Redick, who eerily drew comparisons with Riley before landing the job, could take the Lakers past the finish line.
Here's another precedent that suggests the Lakers will make the NBA Finals. On Tuesday, Doncic became the first Laker since Magic Johnson to tally at least 31 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists in a playoff game.
Johnson last put up such a stat line in Game 2 of the 1991 Western Conference semifinals against the Warriors, finishing with 44 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. He led the Lakers to the 1991 NBA Finals, where they ultimately fell to Michael Jordan's Bulls.
A lot of these coincidences could end up being just that, and the juggernaut Thunder could steamroll their way to the 2025 NBA Finals. That said, it's still fun to connect the dots and highlight the telltale signs working in the favor of Doncic, Redick and Co.
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