When the Los Angeles Lakers fell behind 101-95 to the Houston Rockets with 40.6 seconds left in the fourth quarter of Game 3 on Friday after back-to-back turnovers by LeBron James led to buckets by Alperen Sengun, it looked like they were going to lose. Surely, with a full two-possession lead and the momentum of the series on the line, the Rockets weren’t going to collapse.
Instead, Marcus Smart saved the day, and in doing so, he delivered a blow to the Rockets that was almost fatal.
After James missed a 3-pointer and Jaxson Hayes missed a tip-in attempt, Smart stole the ball in the backcourt from Jabari Smith Jr. He then attempted what looked like a desperation trey, but Jae’Sean Tate fouled him, giving him three free throws, all of which were successful.
Seconds later, James knocked the ball away from Reed Sheppard and hit the 3-pointer that forced overtime. The Lakers prevailed, 112-108, and now have a shocking 3-0 series lead.
After the game, Smart described what happened when he made his game-saving steal and drew that foul in the act of attempting a 3-pointer.
“We knew that they were going to try to ice the game, right?” Smart said. “We needed to make a play, and just using my instincts, Jabari Smith, I think it was him who made the pass, and I just stunted to see what he does. He picked his dribble up and now he’s in no-man’s land. He threw a loft pass for me to recover and I got it, and as I looked at the clock, I see Tate running really fast, and I’m like, ‘OK. He’s probably not going to be able to stop in time.’ So I just pulled up right away and he ran right under me.”
Smart was as pivotal as anyone on the Lakers when it came to this victory. He played 39 minutes and finished with a very efficient 21 points, plus a game-high 10 assists, four rebounds, five assists and two blocks. With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out due to injury, he has picked things up a lot offensively. After averaging 9.3 points and three assists a game in the regular season, he is putting up 20.3 points and 8.3 assists per game while shooting 52.9% overall and 50% from 3-point range so far in this series.
He has fully returned to form after suffering through a couple of frustrating and injury-plagued seasons prior to this one. Now, he and his teammates will look to send the Rockets home for the summer in Game 4 on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Marcus Smart on game-saving steal, foul and free throws in Game 3
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
