With Doncic and Reaves sidelined, Marcus Smart stepped up with suffocating defense on Durant to push the Lakers ahead 2-0.
The Houston Rockets were severely shorthanded without Kevin Durant in the first game against the Los Angeles Lakers in their first-round matchup. The same could be said about the Lakers without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, but they had a little more preparation for that, whereas the Rockets clearly didn’t have an answer that didn’t include Durant out the gate. They were lucky to get him back for Game 2. However, Los Angeles answered with Marcus Smart, who completely dismantled the star in a statement performance.
Smart’s 25-point, seven-assists, five-steals, five three-pointer night was complemented by suffocating defense on Durant to help fuel a 101-94 Lakers win and take a 2-0 series lead. It was simply a masterclass on guarding Durant in his return from a right knee injury. He shot 1-of-3 and committed three turnovers in 18 possessions defended by Smart, according to ESPN research. Durant had a playoff career-worst nine turnovers and was clearly rattled by Smart from start to finish. LeBron James credited Smart’s fearlessness and composure, which is invaluable with a shorthanded roster who’s making a splash in the postseason.
Here is the full story from Lakers Roundtable writer Jack Haslett on head coach JJ Redick praising Smart’s major performance.
Doncic is still recovering from a Grade 2 hamstring with no timetable and no return-to-play progression. Reaves, encouragingly, has begun those one-on-one on-court workouts, but still has no timeline as he recovers from a Grade 2 oblique. As the series shifts to Houston for Game 3 on Friday, the spotlight will remain on Smart and his important role. The former Defensive Player of the Year is showing why that trait helps teams make finals.