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dave mcmenamin
multiple authors
Los Angeles – The Houston Rockets Was Kevin Durant Back for Game 2 of their first-round matchup on Tuesday. But lakers Was marcus smart to protect them win 101-94 To take a 2-0 lead in the series.
“It was good for him to have KD out there and it was good for us to be able to do what we did against him tonight,” Smart said.
According to ESPN Research, Durant returned from a right knee injury that kept him out of Game 1 and scored 23 points on 7-for-12 shooting – but made only 1-for-3 shots and committed three of 18 turnovers by Smart, the worst of his playoff career.
“He’s not afraid of the moment,” he said. Lebron JamesWho led LA with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. “They have always been assigned some of the best players [have] Having played this game at some point in my career, having someone like that brings a lot of composure to our team.
“Especially when we’re missing – I don’t like to beat a dead horse, but it’s two big horses – with AR [Austin Reaves] And Luke [Doncic] Outside. So, for this to happen means a lot to our ball club.”
As effective as Smart was defensively, grabbing five steals, he was equally important on offense, scoring 25 points on 8-for-13 shooting (5-for-7 from 3) with seven assists.
“Smart, he had a great game today,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said.
The veteran guard, who signed a two-year, $11 million contract in the offseason after being recruited by Doncic to L.A., had a stellar performance from the start in Game 2, scoring 14 of his points in the first quarter.
“He created the environment for us, pushed us forward,” said Luke KennardWho scored 27 points in Game 1 and 23 points in Game 2. “And we know with those guys out there, it could be anybody any night at this time.”
Houston, which was held under 100 points for the second consecutive game and shot only 40.4% as a team, saw a 15-point lead cut by the Lakers to just five with less than three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
That’s when Smart, fittingly, hit his fifth 3 of the night to put the Lakers back up by eight with 2:23 left and give them some breathing room.
“He hit a big hit,” Redick said.
While Redick said before the game that Reeves has begun his return to the game in progress, confirming a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania that he has begun 1-on-1 workouts on the court as he continues his rehabilitation from a Grade 2 oblique strain that has kept him out since April 2, the coach did not provide any updated timeline for when Reeves could return to the lineup.
Redic said Doncic has not yet begun his return to play due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain that has sidelined him since April 2, and also did not provide any timetable update on the Slovenian star.
In other words, as the series shifts to Houston for Game 3 on Friday, Smart will still be just as important.
“I can look at him and he knows what I’m talking about,” said James, who revealed that his viral meme moment from Game 1 was when he made eye contact with someone other than Smart to get his attention across the court. “He can join me.”
And Redick said the team can relate to Smart’s desire to win.
“Because he has his voice, he can help build trust and confidence in our group,” Redick said. “And I think he did that.”
For Smart, who was named Defensive Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season before helping boston celtics Make it to the 2022 NBA Finals after two injury-filled seasons memphis And WashingtonGame 2 was a reminder of his abilities.
“I’m very grateful to be able to do this,” Smart said. “I thank God every day, because I could have been out of the league, right? Injuries and things like that. So, to be able to be back on this stage again, making the plays I’m making with these guys, with this team, with this organization, I’m just grateful.”
