The Lakers continued their playoff matchup against the 5th seed Rockets by matching their intensity and desperation for a game 2 win. Kevin Durant returned from a bruised knee and, for a half, looked like the dagger wielding assassin that had ended many a p[layoff run for the opposition. The Lakers had a plan for that and were able to execute it to near perfection as they controlled the game, and Durant, throughout the second half and sent Ime Udoka back to the drawing board.
- Defense wins championships. It was the main reason I, personally, was not thrilled with the hiring of Coach J.J. Reddick but in the last 8-12 weeks of NBA basketball he’s shown us all that he can be more than a one-trick pony on that end of the floor. A lot of credit has to go to he and his staff for coming up with a most excellent defensive stratagem to stymie the Rockets slashing attack on the rim and neutralize both Sengun and Durant. In a game of adjustments this is now the 4th game in the last couple of weeks against Houston where the half court blitzing, trapping and doubling of Durant has completely obliterated the notion of a smooth or easy offensive possession for the Rockets so it seems clear that Udoka hasn’t figured out a way to get either Sengun or Durant consistent, easy looks in their sweet spots. Some of this will, undoubtedly, prove harder to do in Houston. I expect Hayes and Ayton to pick up a few more touch fouls guarding Sengun, and for Smart and the other guy doubling KD to be called for being overly aggressive on the double but the proof of concept is there on this. Not sure this works for every team, Houston’s weakness is three point shooting and a lack of playmaking, there’s not another team in the playoffs in our bracket that has those qualities, but for this round the coaches have really put together an excellent game plan and the players are going out and executing it really well.
- Marcus Smart doing his best to prove me wrong. In my defense, and from the beginning of the season, I have always liked the idea of Smart on the Lakers in the playoffs. I’ll also be the first one to say Smart has driven me crazy this season with bad shots, silly and unforced turnovers and the like…in the regular season. But, like Playoff Rondo, Smart is built for this kind of basketball. Maybe he tends to drift a little during the regular season; play with less discipline on offense specifically. His defense and hustle are always welcome, and he tends to reign in his more maddening tendencies (bad passes, silly turnovers and early shot clock threes when there are better shooters on the floor with him) in during the playoffs. Last night might well have been his best game as a Laker yet. 25 points on a tidy 13 shots, 5-7 from three (none bigger than the one with 2:23 left to play in the 4th to put us back up by 8), stellar defense, and 7 dimes to only 3 turnovers. Sign me up for more of that.
- Luke Kennard is everything we hoped Gabe Vincent would be. His defense, while not spectacular, is solid. His shot-making is epic. His handle…well…he can’t be amazing at everything. Luke turned in another beauty and seemed to be more aggressively hunting his shot to match KD in the 1st half. 23 points, also on a tidy 13 shots (our starting guards gave us a combined 48 points on 26 shots, 9 assists to 5 turnovers, 8 rebounds, 5 steals and a block…that’s picking up the slack for Luka And Austin). My only critique, and honestly this is more for his teammates and the coaching staff, is that you can’t expect Luke to bring the ball up against pressure from an elite wing, which Houston has 4 of. We need to keep a guy back to set a screen to help mitigate the unforced errors like his backcourt violation and not getting the ball across the timeline in 8 seconds.
- Weird game for the bench. Somehow, and I put a lot of this on Jackson and his excellent defense down the stretch in the 4th, our bench was an overall positive despite scoring only 6 points on 1 made basket on 8 FGA’s. The bench was 0-4 from three and had 3 turnovers to 1 assist. Yet they astoundingly all came out with a positive +/- while only 1 Rocket (Reed Sheppard at +1) had a positive rating. The +/- stat is misleading and really as much a barometer for whom you’re playing alongside with as much as individual excellence. Still, for our bench to outplay their bench is huge and something we need to maintain on the road. FWIW, Jake LaRavia’s minutes should start to go to Vando at this point. At least in my opinion. Jake theoretically is a better scorer than Jarred Vanderbilt, but JV does everything else a lot better. Especially rebounding. Jake looks a little too amped up in his first playoff series so maybe he can find a calmer, more focused state of mind as we move forward but the moment may prove to be a lot for the young man. Hayes continues to play great and Bronny came in for his customary 1st half turnover. Hard spot to put the younger dudes in but this is what injuries create: opportunity and it’s on the young players to find their inner carpe diem.
- The never ending wonder that is LeBron James. You didn’t think I was going to leave The King out, did you? Watching James dissect the Rockets has been awesome. At 41 he keeps finding ways to get the job done while putting a lot of guys who have either not played many meaningful playoff minutes or no playoff minutes on his back and will them to 2 wins. His efficiency fell off last night (8-20, 2-5 from three) but he was able to get the the free throw line more than in game 1 (10-14) to help compensate. No matter how this ends, either this summer or on down the line, I am thankful that we’ve gotten to see LeBron James up as a Laker. A lot of extra baggage comes with him wherever he goes but it’s worth tipping the bell hop for, the dude is playing at an amazing level for anyone at any age.
Tougher tests lie ahead. Houston, especially their bench, is going to be better at home. The Rockets were 30-11 at home, good for a 5th best tie with Boston in the NBA this season. Udoka is a good coach (or at least I used to think he was when he was in Boston) who will continue to adjust and tinker looking for a win and Sengun isn’t going to miss bunnies forever. As good as we’ve played at Crypto you have to figure there’s a solid counter-punch waiting for us in Texas. How we respond in Houston will tell us a lot about the character of this team. because whatever tests we pass in the 1st round are going to ramp up in difficulty exponentially in round 2 vs. OKC.
Jamie, this is exactly why the Lakers feel relevant again — not in the “cute story” way, but in the “this team can actually make noise in May” way. What we’re watching isn’t luck, and it isn’t nostalgia. It’s a team that has finally figured out who it is, what it hangs its hat on, and how to weaponize its strengths against a very good Houston squad.
The defensive identity you highlighted is the biggest shift. For months we wondered whether Reddick could build a playoff-ready defense, and now the Lakers are out here turning Kevin Durant — one of the greatest offensive engines ever — into a puzzle with missing pieces. Four straight games of making Houston’s halfcourt offense look like a clogged drain isn’t an accident. It’s a blueprint. It’s discipline. It’s buy‑in. And it’s the first time in years we’ve seen the Lakers dictate terms instead of react to them.
And you nailed it with Smart. This is exactly why you bring in a guy like him. The regular season can expose his flaws, but the playoffs reveal his value. He’s the emotional thermostat of this team — when he’s locked in, everyone else sharpens up. That three he hit late wasn’t just a shot; it was a message. Houston made their push, and Smart slammed the door shut.
Kennard has been the perfect counterweight. When KD tried to turn back the clock in the first half, Luke matched him shot for shot with that calm, almost surgical confidence he has. He’s the kind of shooter who bends a defense just by existing, and in a series where every possession feels like a fistfight, that gravity matters.
The bench? You’re right — bizarre game, but a winning one. Hayes continues to be one of the most quietly essential players on the roster. And at this point, Vando’s energy, rebounding, and defensive chaos feel tailor‑made for a series where every loose ball is a small war. Those minutes are going to matter even more in Houston.
And then there’s LeBron. What he’s doing at 41 is beyond comprehension. He’s not just producing — he’s stabilizing. He’s orchestrating. He’s absorbing pressure so the young guys don’t have to. Every time the Rockets threaten to tilt the game, LeBron calmly resets the table like he’s been doing this for two decades… because he has. We’re witnessing the final chapters of a legendary career, and he’s still out here dictating playoff series.
You’re absolutely right that Houston will punch back at home. They’re too well-coached, too physical, and too prideful not to. But that’s exactly why this feels different. For the first time all season, the Lakers aren’t just surviving these moments — they’re imposing themselves. They’re answering every question with force, clarity, and purpose.
This team isn’t just relevant again. They’re dangerous. They’re connected. They’re confident. And they’re starting to look like a group that believes it can beat anyone in front of them.
Game 3 is going to tell us a lot about their character, but right now? The Lakers look like a team that’s ready for the test.
My favorite players are Kobe and then Magic. LBJ, for my money, is the GOAT. The range of abilities, peak of prowess, and longevity are unmatched. This version of LBJ at the age of 41 is unreal.
Smart is back to his old form, a menace and terrifying to opponents.
Kennard finally reveals himself to the NBA world as a skilled basketball player, not just a spot-up shooter.
It’s really, really impressive.
Stats of the night?
Reed Shepard – zero points in 10 minutes.
Kevin Durant – 9 turnovers.
That says a lot.