Marcus Smart emphasized the importance of trust and execution after the Lakers’ 100-92 victory over Houston on Monday night. “For my teammates once again to trust me to give me another chance and to believe in me… that’s all I asked for and I went out there and knocked it down,” Smart said about his key corner three late in the fourth quarter.
On the team’s defensive impact, Smart noted, “We can be really good. Our offense is top of the top, very talented, and adding some defense like this makes us a really dangerous team… our problem is staying consistent.”
He highlighted the evolution of the Lakers’ commitment compared to earlier in the season. “We’re way up with the commitment part of that. A 41-year-old LeBron James diving on the floor… right there speaks volume of where we were to where we at now,” Smart said, also praising Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for defensive contributions.
Smart pointed to the leadership of the starters as a catalyst for team effort. “LeBron, AR, Luka… they do so much offensively, and to see them on the defensive end giving everything they got, it forces everybody else to join them. If you can’t, then you’re not going to play,” he said.
Defending Kevin Durant presented additional challenges. “It definitely takes multiple efforts, especially against this team who crashes like no other team… it’s not easy, it is hard, and it’s going to have to happen over and over again,” Smart explained.
Smart also praised Doncic’s performance despite Houston’s physicality. “For Luka to go out there and put those numbers up, it shows how special he is on that offensive end… he can shoot from all three areas, create contact, make you create contact, get to the line, and his IQ is very savvy,” Smart said.
He reflected on LeBron’s influence and work ethic. “It was definitely a momentum change to see him dunking… at 41, it’s a beautiful thing to watch. He works on his body, comes in early, stays late… that’s why he’s able to do this,” Smart said.
Smart emphasized the team’s willingness to embrace physicality and the “dirty” aspects of defense. “It shows that we’re willing to get in the trenches, do the small things to help us win… taking a shot to the face, elbow to the face, being physical, never backing down… I’m very proud of us,” he said.
The Lakers overcame a 57-51 halftime deficit behind Doncic’s 36 points and Smart’s key three-pointers, controlling the final minutes with disciplined ball handling and defensive pressure. Los Angeles limited Houston to 12 turnovers while committing 24 and improved to 43-25, moving 1.5 games ahead of the Rockets for third place in the Western Conference.
