Lakers Beat Short Handed Suns to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

• Despite Anthony Davis and LeBron James struggling, the Los Angeles Lakers secured a vital 121-107 win over the Phoenix Suns
• Darvin Ham's team are looking to avoid a play-in spot when the season ends this weekend but will need some help
• They currently sit 7th in the West with a 42-39 record and host Utah Jazz on Sunday in their final regular season game

The Los Angeles Lakers registered a convincing win over the Phoenix Suns to boost their hopes of avoiding the play-in tournament.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis struggled all game, but the 121-107 win was all that mattered.

James and Davis combined for just 30 points. Two players acquired before the Feb. 09 trade deadline powered the Lakers to a much-needed win. D'Angelo Russell led the Lakers with 24 points, and Malik Beasley had 21.

Austin Reaves continued with his impressive campaign by scoring 22 points.

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NBA

The Suns, who have already locked the 4th seed, rested Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton, per NBC Los Angeles.

Torrey Craig led the Suns with 18 points, Jock Landale had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Josh Okogie added 16 points.

What the win means for Lakers

The win makes the Lakers just the sixth team in NBA history to start the season 2-10 or worse and finish with a winning record.

Darvin Ham's team is 7th in the West after beating Phoenix but could end up 5th or 9th depending on how teams fare in their final regular season games this weekend. They have the same 42-39 record as the New Orleans Pelicans.

James is delighted with the way the season has turned out.

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Football

"I was just telling AD [Anthony Davis], I was like, 'Man, can you believe that we're going to finish this season above .500? After everything that's gone on this season?'" James said. "We've turned this thing around. And it's the regular season, obviously, there's a lot more basketball to be played. But to know that we're going to finish a few games above .500? It's pretty cool," via ESPN.

The Lakers host the Utah Jazz on Sunday in their final regular season game.

James on Lakers title chances

Sports Brief earlier reported on James explaining why he is pleased with what the Lakers are building as they head to the postseason.

The 17-time NBA champions started the season 2-10 and are finishing the season strongly.

"I like what we've been building over the last month or so."