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Who knew?
LeBron James flying down the lane unchecked for a pumping over-the-shoulder slam.
Marcus Smart diving and scrapping and leading cheers with a scream.
Luke Kennard stepping to the free-throw line and hearing the chant, “MVP! … MVP! … MVP!”
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Who knew?
Without their two best players, facing the quicker and more bruising Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs, who knew the Lakers would do what they did Tuesday night at a roaring Crypto.com Arena?
They’re shorthanded but big-hearted. They’re lacking in skill but overflowing with hustle. Their two leading scorers are on the bench, but that doesn’t matter when everyone else is flying around the court.
They should be losing but keep winning, two nights and counting now after a 101-94 victory over the Rockets gave them a two-games-to-none lead.
Some predicted they would be swept, but they could be doing the broom bit. Some predicted they would be bullied, but they’re doing most of the punching.
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They say a series doesn’t start until the home team loses a game, but, believe it, this series is already over.
In two games the Lakers have proven that even without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, they are a better team than the Rockets.
They’re tougher. They’re smarter. They’re better coached. They’re more complete. What more do you need to see?
Read more: Lakers beat Rockets in Game 2 with a new Big Three
“We’re just getting this thing started,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick, and who’s going to argue with him?
Three days after beating the Rockets without Kevin Durant, they beat the Rockets with Kevin Durant.
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Three days after James led them by being the facilitator, he carried them by being the scorer.
Three days after Kennard made every big shot, he made every big shot. Three days after Smart’s intensity filled the Lakers with energy and inspiration, well, he did it again.
Lakers guard Luke Kennard drives past Houston forward Jae’sean Tate during Game 2 of their playoff series at at Crypto.Com Arena on Tuesday. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
The Lakers need this sort of team-wide fight just two…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/plaschke-over-lakers-prove-theyre-110000576.html
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Publish date : 2026-04-22 11:00:00
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