Marcus Smart is the first player since Michael Jordan (1991) to drop 20 points, 10 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks in an NBA Playoff game.
The Los Angeles Lakers, in an inspiring and tremendous fashion, have prevailed in Houston to cool down the Rockets with a cathartic 112-108 Game 3 overtime win.
Los Angeles Lakers / Schedule
While it was LeBron James who spearheaded the Lakers’ epic victory to go up with a commanding 3-0 against the Rockets, Marcus Smart is the team’s absolute X-factor throughout the course of Friday evening.
On both ends, Smart stepped up when it mattered the most. He scored when needed, committed hustle plays and delivered defensive clampdowns to secure the Lakers’ momentum.
Across 39 minutes, the veteran guard finished with 21 points in 5-of-9 shooting with 10 assists, four rebounds, five steals and two blocks.
The stat line he posted marks the first time a player in the NBA Playoffs has done so since Michael Jordan registered similar numbers in 1991.
With Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) still not playing, Smart embraced being the hero for the Lakers since both stars went down. As a result, LA is now one win away from making it to the Conference Semifinals.
The Lakers expect another big game from the former Defensive Player of the Year as they will aim to officially sweep the Rockets in Game 4 on Sunday.
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