The narrative nationally will be that D’Angelo Russell and the Brooklyn Nets knocked the Los Angeles Lakers out of the playoffs Friday night with their 111-106 victory at Staples Center.
But it meant a lot more than just that for Brooklyn.
With the win — their second straight to improve to 2-3 on their seven-game road trip — the Nets (38-36) maintained their breathing room in the race for one of the final three playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
Brooklyn’s magic number is now six to clinch its first playoff berth in four years, with the Orlando Magic (35-38) now 2½ games behind the Nets, who have eight games remaining while the Magic have nine to go.