In Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers’ defense was good enough to give them a chance to win. Their offense, however, was anemic, and it became even more anemic as the game wore on.
Los Angeles scored 53 points in the first half, which isn’t terrible. But it mustered only 19 points in the third quarter and 18 points in the fourth quarter, which allowed the Thunder to gradually build a sizable lead and claim a 108-90 win.
Virtually everyone is expecting Oklahoma City to win this series with little, if any, difficulty. But Marcus Smart expressed confidence in his team and its game plan following Game 1, via Lakers Nation.
“Very high,” Smart said of his confidence in his team. “We started off great. We were doing very well, we were in the game. We held them to 101, 105ish before late in the end. You know we’re playing the defending champs, it’s gonna be tough. They’re gonna make some tough shots, some tough plays, we just can’t let that derail us right?
“We gotta stay with it. But I’m very positive in the way that the game plan is. Teammates, we’re getting Austin [Reaves] back in his groove and just getting guys back. So I’m definitely confident, but it’s definitely gonna be a challenge.”
LeBron James scored 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting and Rui Hachimura had 18 points, but just about everyone else needs to step up offensively, and that includes Smart. The veteran guard had 12 points on Tuesday, but he went 4-of-15 from the field and 2-of-8 from 3-point range. As a team, the Lakers shot just 41.2% overall and 33% from downtown.
They could be without both Jarred Vanderbilt and Luke Kennard for Game 2 on Thursday, which would mean that Smart will have to carry an even bigger burden, especially in the scoring department.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Marcus Smart expressed confidence in Lakers after Game 1 loss
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
