The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled to find consistency this season, bouncing between impressive stretches and frustrating performances. But after a hard-fought win Tuesday night, veteran guard Marcus Smart believes the team may have found something they can build on.
The Lakers rallied late to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 110 to 101, marking their 3rd consecutive victory. Unlike many of their recent wins, this one required a 4th-quarter push after trailing earlier in the game.
Smart was right in the middle of it.
The defensive-minded guard delivered a well-rounded performance with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks. More importantly, he helped stabilize the Lakers during a chaotic stretch in the final quarter.
“Just staying locked in,” Smart said when asked what was the key to the win. “It’s been a long time since we’ve been in that position and had to fight back to get a victory. But it was just staying locked in, staying in control. Especially in tonight’s game it was a lot going on, with the refs, from both teams. Just chaotic, but we stayed with it and came out with the win.”
The comeback represented something the Lakers have rarely done this season, respond under pressure and close out a tight game.
“Huge. Monumental for us,” Smart added. “Nights like this can change the trajectory for teams and players. So hopefully this win tonight and the way and fashion that we won it kicks our confidence up and we can keep this alive and going. Because the way we played tonight and the way we played over the last two games is something that we know we’re capable of.
“I know you guys and everybody else is hoping we can be consistent with it and that’s something that we’re trying to do. Tonight was a key factor for us to go back, look at, see what we did right and try to multiply it.”
Consistency has been the biggest question surrounding the Lakers throughout the season. But if performances like Tuesday’s become the norm, the team may finally be trending in the right direction.
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