LA Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant says his side’s “locked in” on their task of making the playoffs.
The Lakers moved into eighth spot in the Western Conference after their 90-81 win over Chicago Bulls on Sunday.
After a slow start to the season, the Lakers are now 33-31 and loom as a danger in the playoffs.
“We’re very focused,” Bryant said. “We know what we have to do and what lies ahead. Everybody’s locked in.”
Bryant scored 19 points and had nine assists and seven rebounds, while Dwight Howard scored 16 points and had 21 rebounds.
Steve Nash was a key in the triumph which came on the back of a 21-7 run in the third term, where he scored 10 points.
“We have to try to climb higher,” Nash said. “This team is far from a finished product, so we have to improve every night. Get tighter on both ends of the floor.
“The more we play together the better we should be and the more we should learn how to play together.
“What is the point of getting to the playoffs if you hold tight and this is a finished product?
“We need to try to improve while we solidify a playoff spot and be a better team, and hopefully a tougher team to compete with in the playoffs.”