Up to this point in the series, Marcus Smart has been crucial for the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s been a big reason why they took a 3-0 lead over the Houston Rockets, even without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. However, in Game 5, with a second straight chance to close things out, Smart struggled.
Obviously, Smart doesn’t deserve all the blame. But based on the way he was playing through the first three games, Game 5 was a clear step back for him. After a hot start from beyond the arc, Smart went ice cold, and he was pretty sloppy with the ball in his hands for most of the night.
The Lakers need prime Smart back.
Marcus Smart lost his magic in Game 5 loss to Rockets
Smfart is 32 years old, yet when the playoffs got rolling, he was playing some of the best basketball of his career. It was exactly what the Lakers needed in that moment.
They got a some huge step-up performances from the defensive-minded guard, as he locked in on both ends of the court to help the Lakers dismantle the Kevin Durant-, Alperen Sengun-led Rockets in the first three games.
He was even a part of the Lakers’ miracle Game 3 comeback, grabbing a steal in the final minute of the game and drawing a foul on a 3-point attempt (and then nailing all three free throws).
But in Game 5, his numbers regressed to the mean a little bit. Water found its level. Smart turned back into the solid role player he’s known as, rather than the two-way star he was playing like.
In his 36:43 in Game 5, Smart put up 11 points, five rebounds, and two assists. But he didn’t grab any steals and he didn’t block any shots. Plus, he turned the ball over six times.
Smart made his first two threes of the game, both of which were in the first five minutes of the game. From that point on, he shot 1-of-5 from deep range, including 0-of-3 in the second half.
Obviously, the Lakers needed more production from a lot of people. Game 5 was not completely Smart’s fault. That wouldn’t be a fair finger to point.
Luke Kennard evaporated, giving the Lakers a fraction of the scoring he had been providing them with up to that point in the series. And in this case, a fraction means literally just one point.
Austin Reaves was inefficient in his return game, shooting a measly 4-of-16 from the field and 2-of-8 from beyond the three-point line.
A lot of people could have been better, but Smart was definitely one of them, especially based on how he’s been playing.
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