The Los Angeles Lakers advanced to the second round of the NBA Playoffs after defeating the Houston Rockets in six games, according to a May 2 report. The team delivered its strongest defensive performance of the series in Game 6, led by Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton. Smart recorded two steals and two blocks, while Ayton contributed with one block and secured 16 rebounds.
Smart has played a key role for the Lakers this season as both a defensive leader on the court and as someone who helps maintain team morale off it. After their first-round win, he emphasized that Ayton was central to the team’s defense. “For me, it’s DA,” Smart said about what made the difference in the series. “He played his ass off tonight, excuse my language. But he was locked in from the start to the finish. He kept his composure and he really set the tone for us on the defense end and it allowed me to do what I do and everybody else to kind of galvanize and come together and do our thing.”
Smart continued by highlighting how Ayton elevated his play during postseason competition: “He’s been saying it all year, just wait until I get to the playoffs,” Smart said. “It’s a different side of him that fans haven’t seen that we expect, that we know he can give and he knows it. He’s ready. He’s been locked in from the start and that’s what we’ve asked from everybody.
“But to have him being able to step up one-on-one, it allows us to fan out to their shooters. He’s huge. I have nothing more to say. I could sit here all day and talk about DA. I love him, I’m proud of him and I’m proud to see that he’s finally getting that confidence that he’s been looking for and playing very well for us.”
Lakers head coach JJ Redick also commented on his team’s performance but focused on their collective effort rather than individual contributions following their 98-78 win over Houston: “I would start with the collective,” Redick said regarding how each player contributed during this playoff run.
“And I made the comment, I said the reason our team is winning is because of our team,” Redick continued.”Because each guy is starring in his role and contributing to winning.And that’s story of this playoff series for us.Where each guy had moments that helped us win game.I thought collective tonight was awesome especially defensively.”
As Los Angeles prepares for its next opponent in round two,the contributions from both individual players like Ayton,and unified team effort praised by Redick,could prove vital moving forward.
