{"id":660222,"date":"2026-03-15T23:25:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T23:25:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/660222\/"},"modified":"2026-03-15T23:25:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T23:25:20","slug":"marcus-smart-becoming-difference-maker-as-playoffs-near-lwos-basketball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/660222\/","title":{"rendered":"Marcus Smart Becoming Difference-Maker As Playoffs Near – LWOS Basketball"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Marcus Smart<\/a> signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers this past summer, the veteran said<\/a> he wanted to return to a big stage and impact a winning team.<\/p>\n

If you want to see a prime example of that, look no further than Saturday night.<\/p>\n

Smart finished with 21 points<\/a> (8-15 FG, 5-12 3PT), five steals, three rebounds, two assists and a block as the Los Angeles Lakers scaled the mountain that was an overtime duel against the Denver Nuggets. At No. 3 in the West with a five-game winning streak and another tough road trip ahead, Smart showed how he can play a key role toward LA\u2019s championship hopes.<\/p>\n

Marcus Smart Becoming Difference-Maker As Playoffs Near
\n3-and-D to a Tee<\/p>\n

Smart joined LA knowing he could help as a two-way spark plug, and two clutch plays against the Nuggets illustrated that perfectly.<\/p>\n

Late in the fourth quarter, following LeBron James<\/a>\u2019 Superman dive<\/a> that led to a jump ball, Smart poked the ball away from Aaron Gordon<\/a> and converted a go-ahead layup with 46 seconds remaining.<\/p>\n

MARCUS STRIP AND SCORE FOR THE LEAD<\/p>\n

DPOY SMART\ud83d\udd10\ud83d\udd10\ud83d\udd10\ud83d\udd10 pic.twitter.com\/XeSGH4h8mg<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) March 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

And with nearly 30 seconds left in overtime, he calmly knocked down a wide-open three off a behind-the-back dime from Luka Doncic<\/a>. It was a fitting moment of redemption for Smart, who missed several wide-open clutch threes<\/a> in Denver on Mar. 5, with LA falling 120-113.<\/p>\n

MARCUS SMART THREE pic.twitter.com\/S0Pom7uFQp<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) March 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Reflecting on that moment in light of the previous crunch-time miscues, Smart said<\/a>, \u201c[I] could\u2019ve easily fell into that trap where we\u2019re like, not again, and I wouldn\u2019t blame Luka or those guys to not trust me, but I think it speaks to our team, speaks to me, speaks to those guys, and how willing they are to trust each other and trust us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smart\u2019s performance is his best since head coach JJ Redick made him a full-time starter<\/a> post-All-Star break. He\u2019s done just enough to complement the big three and exceed expectations. In that 12-game span, Smart has averaged<\/a> 8.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.0 steals on 41% shooting from the field and 38% from deep.<\/p>\n

Smart\u2019s Experience and Effort Key for Playoff Push<\/p>\n

Smart is no stranger to playoff basketball, with nine postseasons under his belt as a member of the Boston Celtics. Now looking to help the Lakers rise toward championship heights, Smart discussed<\/a> the benefits of facing tough tests in the regular season.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese games are playoff-type games, and we\u2019re getting ready for the playoffs, right? So to be able to get battle-tested like that early, we know what to expect, and I think it\u2019s only going to help us. Obviously, we have games left, we gotta go finish it out. But to play in these [types] of games, to get the confidence, to see different looks and get that feel, I think it\u2019s only going to help everybody out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Guy who you can go to war with in the playoffs. https:\/\/t.co\/UL5KfqHvYO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ben Rosales (@brosales12) March 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Lakers\u2019 upcoming road trip will do them no favors, as they face the Houston Rockets<\/a> (41-25, 4th in the West) twice, Miami Heat (38-30, 7th in the East), Orlando Magic (38-28, 5th in the East), and Detroit Pistons (48-18, 1st in the East) before a lighter matchup with the lottery-bound Indiana Pacers.<\/p>\n

As the Lakers inch closer to the postseason, Smart will continue to be a cog in the wheel, be it with his game-changing defense<\/a>, efficient perimeter shooting or\u2014most importantly\u2014his ability to win on the margins. Moments like Saturday\u2019s are precisely why he was brought to LA to begin with. He has starred in his role and looked like the perfect fifth starter next to James, Doncic, Austin Reaves<\/a> and Deandre Ayton<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Smart\u2019s presence has already paid off for Rob Pelinka and Co., but perhaps the best is still to come for the 12-year vet.<\/p>\n

\u00a9 William Liang-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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