Lakers defense rises to the challenge Kevin Durant, Rockets gave them

LOS ANGELES — Back in March, the Lakers were winning games thanks to an incredibly potent offense. One month later, they’re winning playoff games on the back of their defense.

A necessary change following injuries to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, the Lakers are suffocating the Rockets. In Game 2, that defense forced 15 turnovers as LA moved ahead 2-0 in the series with a 101-94 win.

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For the second straight game, the Rockets were held to under 100 points. As a team, Houston shot 40% from the field and just 24% from deep.

Not even the return of Kevin Durant could spark the Rockets’ offense as he turned the ball over nine times, a playoff career high. Alpern Şengün ended the night with 20 points on 20 shots and was held to 11 points through the first three quarters.

With the Lakers able to take control entering the fourth quarter as a result, they then turned their attention to Durant, who managed just two points on 1-4 shooting in the game’s last 12 minutes.

It was a comprehensive defensive performance that saw the Lakers pull off another stunner to earn their second victory of the playoffs. After the win, Lakers head coach JJ Redick praised his team’s ability to disrupt Houston’s two best offensive threats.

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“Both great players,” Redick said. “I think you have to guard them with team defense, and you have to be willing to make multiple efforts, and we did that.

This defensive aggression began in the opening minutes and came from a likely source: Marcus Smart.

With Durant back, Smart tested him immediately. In the opening minutes of the game, Smart poked the ball away from Durant and dove on the floor for the steal. It was a precursor of things to come as Smart ended the game with five steals and Durant turned the ball over nine times, a playoff career high.

“I think [Marcus Smart] did a great job defensively,” Redick said. “Obviously, it takes a full team effort to guard Kevin [Durant]. The job that I think our team did, again, he makes shots. He’s an unbelievable player. I think our activity was as good as it could have been.”

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Limiting Durant and…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/lakers-defense-rises-challenge-kevin-081657712.html

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Publish date : 2026-04-22 08:16:00

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