Marcus Smart admits LA is “hunted” by rival teams

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers have lost eight of their last 13 games, with their last loss coming at home against the Charlotte Hornets, a game in which the Hornets shot 54 percent from the field and 48 percent from 3-point range. Both were well above their season averages of 46.1 and 37.3 percent, respectively. For the Lakers guard Marcus Smartthe efforts made by rival teams against them is nothing new.

Following The loss of the Lakers against the HornetsMarcus Smart talked about how rival teams always give their best every night.

“It doesn’t matter who it is, the team or the player, when they play us, everything goes through the roof. If they shoot 20 percent, they shoot 50 percent,” Smart said. “It’s not easy, especially when you play for the Lakers, you’re always getting chased no matter what. We’re always going to get the best game out of everybody. We just have to figure out how to keep it under control.”

The Lakers are currently 24-15 and in sixth place in the Western Conference standings. They are just one game ahead of the Phoenix Suns and falling into playoff position. And to make matters worse, they are still dealing with injury problems.

Luka Doncic was obviously physically bothered against the Hornets, and he was off for the Lakers game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday. Austin Reeves remains out and there has been no update on his potential progress. Jackson Hayes was turned offand Deandre Ayton’s status remains in question.

The Lakers are also in the middle of a busy stretch of the schedule where they are on the road for nine of their next 10 games, starting with Saturday’s game against the Blazers. And in each of those games, they certainly get an optimal effort from their opponents.

“These guys grew up watching LeBron James play, and the Lakers, like the Celtics, are one of the most iconic franchises in all of sports,” head coach JJ Reddick said after the Hornets’ loss. “We brought it up as a team, I know all the guys know what we’re going to get. We don’t get a lot of off nights from other teams in terms of energy and being optimal and all that stuff.”

The Lakers are on the first night of back-to-back games against the Blazers and return home against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.