After advancing into the second round of the NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers will have the task of playing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round.
Los Angeles, without their top regular-season scorer in Luka Doncic, hopes to steal a game on the road to begin the series. It will be a team effort for the Lakers, who went 0-4 against the Thunder in the regular season.
“One of the greatest teams ever in NBA history,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said heading into the matchup, according to the California Post’s Khobi Price. “That’s just the reality. They’re that good. I think our guys recognize that and respect that, and we know what kind of task we have in front of us.”
Marcus Smart Breaks Down the Task of Guarding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
This same mindset, that mixes grit with a sense of respect for the former NBA champions, is exactly what Marcus Smart has prepared for. The 32-year-old is in line to be the primary defender for the Thunder’s MVP-hopeful, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Smart broke down his mindset heading into the series.
“He (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) does a really good job of getting to the free-throw line. He’s mastered it,” Smart said ahead of the round two series. “That’s going to be a challenge for me, not just me but everybody on the team, making sure we stay out of foul trouble and keep them off the line as much as possible.”
Gilgeous-Alexander was tied with the Lakers’ very own, Luka Doncic, in leading the league in free throws made per game in the regular season (7.9). Doncic hasn’t been available to Los Angeles in the postseason due to his Grade 2 hamstring strain. Meanwhile, the Thunder superstar has carried this same routine into the postseason. Gilgeous-Alexander leads the league in playoff free throws made per game (11.0) and attempted (12.3).
“He’s going to get his. You’re not going to stop it all, but you want to do your best to make every bucket and every possession for him as tough as possible,” Smart added.
Marcus Smart Addresses the Viral Conversation of the Thunder Not Getting Called for Fouls
A constant topic among league spectators has been the “inconsistent” foul calls against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker made this exact subject public during their series against the Thunder in round one.
“It’s bad for the sport, bad for the integrity of the sport. People are going to start viewing this as a WWE if they’re not held responsible,” Booker said after the Suns’ Game 2 loss on April 22.
Marcus Smart added his two cents to the drama in preparation for his turn against the defending champions.
“With a team like that, whether they foul or not, it’s not getting called. So there’s nothing you can do. You got to control what you can control.”
The Lakers will have to avoid having this conversation in the series. Especially if they want to upset and eliminate the top-seeded team in the West.
“You’re not going to win every battle. You’re not going to stop everything. You’re not going to slow everything down. You got to be willing to give up on something and pick your poison.”
Game 1 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder takes place on Tuesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. PDT.
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