The Los Angeles Lakers had their nine-game win streak snapped by the Detroit Pistons on Monday night as the defense faltered without Marcus Smart. The Pistons won 113-110, including scoring 42 in the second quarter. Smart suffered hip and ankle injuries against the Magic and is day-to-day. The Lakers clearly need the former Defensive Player of the Year, and anyone questioning that immediately got their answer.
This continued a season-long trend. LA has a 111.9 defensive rating and a plus-8.3 net rating with Smart on the floor. Their defense gives up 120.9 points per 100 possessions without the 6’3 guard and has a negative-2.3 net rating.
It is not just Smart’s defense. He is a vocal leader and capable of making plays on both ends of the floor. The Lakers have still won 12 of their last 14 and are doing it behind improved defense and shooting. Luka Doncic is playing like the MVP, but Smart’s been crucial at tying it all together.
Lakers immediately missed Marcus Smart in loss to Pistons
LA is a top ten defensive team over their hot stretch, but they are not loaded with talent on that end. Smart may be the only plus individual option. The Lakers are outperforming the sum of their parts by being connected and working together. Smart is leading that charge with his communication and high basketball IQ.
Daniss Jenkins had 30 points for the Pistons on Monday night and was attacking Austin Reaves down the stretch. Fans know Smart would have drawn that assignment and made a difference.
The Lakers gave up 113 points to the Pistons without Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart. Detroit is leading the Eastern Conference, but didn’t have their best scorer. The 42-point second quarter ultimately sunk the purple and gold on Monday. Fans have to think that wouldn’t have happened if Smart was on the floor leading the defense.
Smart has also been knocking down shots. The 6’3 guard is shooting 37.5 percent from 3-point range during the hot streak. They need him to make shots to go on a deep playoff run. Everything was falling into place before his injuries put him on the sideline.
The Lakers had every opportunity to make it ten straight wins. They had the lead late in the fourth quarter as they held Detroit to 48 in the second half. It was a poor shooting night from LA, which also didn’t have Rui Hachimura.
They are still one of the hottest teams in the NBA, but their depth is questionable. The purple and gold need everybody healthy to make a deep run. That couldn’t be clearer after Monday’s loss in the Motor City.
The Los Angeles Lakers need Marcus Smart to lead their defense. In this first game without him, things fell apart for significant stretches against the Pistons without their superstar. Luka Doncic wanted Smart on the Lakers. He has been the perfect addition.
All fans can do is hope he returns quickly and is back organizing the defense. Head coach JJ Redick said Smart is day-to-day. Hopefully, that means he returns on Wednesday night against the Pacers.