TITLE: Marcus Smart’s All-Around Display Lifts Lakers to 2-0 Lead Over Rockets, Sets Franchise First
SLUG: marcus-smart-franchise-first-five-threes-five-steals-playoff-lakers-rockets-game-2
CONTENT:
LOS ANGELES — Marcus Smart delivered a historic two-way performance Tuesday night, guiding the Los Angeles Lakers to a 101-94 victory over the Houston Rockets in Game 2 of their first-round series at Crypto.com Arena.
The veteran guard scored 25 points on 8-for-13 shooting, handed out seven assists and collected five steals. According to StatMuse, Smart became the first player in Lakers postseason history to record at least five three-pointers and five steals in the same game. He finished 5-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Smart jump-started the Lakers early, hitting three triples and swiping two steals in the opening quarter to help Los Angeles build a seven-point cushion. He had 14 points by the end of the period.
Houston rallied to keep the contest close, and the Lakers’ lead was trimmed to five in the final minutes. Smart answered with a corner three to push the margin to eight, added two free throws, forced a turnover by Kevin Durant and found LeBron James for a back-door dunk that sealed the win.
Smart’s defensive pressure contributed to Durant scoring only three points after halftime and committing nine turnovers overall. The Lakers now head to Houston with a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven matchup.
The game marked Smart’s first postseason series with Los Angeles after injuries kept him out of the playoffs the past two seasons. He said rejoining playoff basketball with the Lakers carries “a new feeling” compared with previous runs.
Source: Lakers Nation
