HOUSTON — Guard Marcus Smart says the Los Angeles Lakers can reach another level if their recent defensive surge becomes the norm.
Smart, 32, spoke after Monday night’s 114-97 road win over the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The victory pushed Los Angeles to 9-1 over its past 10 games, a stretch that includes wins against the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets.
During the hot streak, the Lakers own the NBA’s sixth-best defensive rating. That marks a sharp turnaround from the season’s first 58 contests, when they ranked 24th.
Locking down Houston
The latest example came against the Rockets. Los Angeles limited Houston to 35 points after halftime, just 12 in the fourth quarter and only four in the final 6:12.
“We can be really good; we all know it,” Smart told Spectrum SportsNet. “Our offense is elite, so when we add defense like this it makes us a dangerous team. The challenge is staying consistent, and that’s what we’re working on every day.”
Commitment from the whole roster
Smart said buy-in across the lineup is driving the improvement.
“You’ve got a 41-year-old LeBron James diving on the floor,” he noted. “Luka Dončić is taking charges, Austin Reaves is holding his ground, and I’m picking up pressure. Anthony Davis, Jaxson Hayes and everyone else are trying to elevate on the defensive end. We’re not perfect, but we’re getting better every day.”
Coach Redick encouraged
Head coach JJ Redick said before the Houston game that the 8-1 surge already had him optimistic. Monday’s win only reinforced that outlook as the Lakers aim to solidify playoff positioning.
Source: Lakers Nation
