Marcus Smart sparks short-handed Lakers to 101-94 win, 2-0 edge on Rockets
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LOS ANGELES — Marcus Smart delivered on both ends Tuesday night, guiding the Los Angeles Lakers past the Houston Rockets 101-94 and pushing the top seed to a 2-0 advantage in their first-round series.
The veteran guard shadowed Kevin Durant for much of the game, limiting the Rockets star to 1-for-3 shooting and three turnovers on the 18 possessions they matched up, according to ESPN Research. Durant, back after missing Game 1 with a right knee injury, still finished with 23 points on 7-of-12 overall, but Houston fell below 100 points for the second consecutive contest.
Smart paired his defensive work with his best offensive showing of the season, scoring 25 points on 8-for-13 from the field, drilling 5-of-7 from deep and dishing seven assists. His fifth three-pointer, a right-wing strike with 2:23 remaining, restored an eight-point cushion after Houston had trimmed a 15-point deficit to five.
“It was good for them to have KD out there,” Smart said. “It was good for us to do what we did tonight against him.”
LeBron James paced Los Angeles with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. “He’s not afraid of the moment,” James said of Smart. “He has always drawn the toughest matchups and brings composure to our team, especially while we’re missing two big horses.”
The Lakers again played without starters Austin Reaves (Grade 2 oblique strain) and Luka Doncic (Grade 2 left hamstring strain), sidelined since April 2. Head coach JJ Redick said Reaves has begun on-court one-on-one work but provided no timetable for either player.
Luke Kennard supplied 23 points, following a 27-point opener, while Smart snagged five of Los Angeles’ 12 steals. Houston shot 40.4 percent and never led after the opening minutes.
Durant’s return offered a brief lift for the Rockets, but nine turnovers — the most of his playoff career — undercut his efficiency. Houston will host Game 3 on Friday.
For Smart, the night revived memories of his 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year campaign in Boston, before injury-plagued stops in Memphis and Washington. “I’m very grateful,” he said. “I could have been out of the league. To be back on this stage, making plays with this organization, I’m just thankful.”
Source: ESPN.com
