CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Veteran guard Marcus Smart delivered seven steals and set the defensive tone as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Charlotte Hornets 10 points on Nov. 10 at Spectrum Center.
After surrendering 40 points in the opening period, Los Angeles tightened the screws, limiting Charlotte to a combined 38 in the second and third quarters. Smart finished with 13 points and six assists in addition to the near–career-high steal total, helping the Lakers pull away despite a slow start.
“I’m just trying to make an impact any way I can,” Smart said on Spectrum SportsNet. “Steals or no steals, it’s about communicating, guarding the right guys, doing the little things that win games and championships.”
The 31-year-old guard signed with Los Angeles during the offseason precisely for that defensive edge. His performance complemented another strong outing from Luka Doncic and the return of guard Austin Reaves, both of whom grabbed headlines in the victory.
Smart acknowledged the Lakers must open games with greater urgency. “Teams are going to give us their best shot early,” he said. “We have to do a better job sustaining those runs and not letting things get out of control like tonight and in Atlanta.”
Head coach JJ Redick praised Smart as “the quarterback of our defense,” a mantle he said LeBron James carried last season. Redick added that Smart’s energy has been central to the club’s strong start.
Los Angeles improved to 8-2 with the win, while Charlotte dropped to 3-7.
Source: Lakers Nation
