Marcus Smart’s assignment in Game 2 of the Lakers’ first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets was as challenging as it gets.
Guard Kevin Durant, the greatest scorer of all-time.
What was going through his mind?
“Oh s–t,” Smart told the California Post, chuckling. “Literally, oh s–t.”
Smart responded by transforming into a gnat that Durant couldn’t swat. He pestered him. He swarmed him. He made his life miserable.
He held Durant to 23 points, including just three points on 1-for-5 shooting in the second half of the Lakers’ 101-94 win over the Rockets. Durant, who was returning from a right knee injury, committed nine turnovers.
“Oh s–t worked out,” Smart told the California Post. “…He just makes me better as a defender. He tests me as a defender.”
Smart didn’t just get an “A” onthatassignment. He was the best version of himself. He was a ball of energy. He was a sharpshooter. He was a paint attacker. He was a leader.
He had the second-most points of anyone on the court behind LeBron James (28), finishing with 25 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the field, including going 5-for-7 from beyond the arc. He also had seven assists, five steals and one blocked shot.
“Smart, he just had a killer game today,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
