Plaschke: Can Lakers steal series? Anything is possible after Game 1 win ^83.6%

Los Angeles Times - By Bill Plaschke - 4/19/2026, 10:00 AM

Biased Writer Voice 65.5% - Halo Effect 23.8% - Post Hoc (False Cause) 23%

The Lakers limped painfully into the playoffs Saturday night only to delightfully discover a miracle salve. An opponent as mangled as they were. Yes, the Lakers are beginning this tournament seriously hampered by the indefinite absences of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. But — surprise, surprise — the Houston Rockets showed up with a bad... more