Marcus Smart reveals why every team is trying to ‘kill’ LA
The Los Angeles Lakers have faced the Phoenix Suns three times in the past three weeks, with the latter resulting in a 132-108 loss on Tuesday evening. The Lakers went 1-2 in those three games, and the Suns threw everything they had at the purple and gold. After the Lakers’ recent loss to the Suns, veteran guard Marcus Smart talked about it the mentality of the opposing teamincluding Phoenix, brought to the table against them, according to Lakers Lead.
“It doesn’t matter what the percentages say, it doesn’t matter what the numbers say. You can’t go past that,” Smart said. “We have to understand that we are wearing the ‘Lakers’ over the jersey and that everyone is coming to kill us.”
While some of what Marcus Smart says may be true, at the forefront of the Lakers’ recent struggles has been defense. The 132 points the Lakers gave up to the Suns tied for the second-highest total allowed this season, a mark set during the team’s quarterfinal loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. The most points given up by the Lakers this season was 135 against the Utah Jazz last Thursday.
Amid the Lakers’ defensive struggles, Smart was overall positive about it. Long known as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, Smart brought his toughness and intensity to the Lakers this season.
Entering Tuesday’s game, Smart had appeared in 18 games, including 12 starts, logging just over 27 minutes per game. He averaged 10.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 40.3 percent from the field, 30 percent from the 3-point line and 92.3 percent from the free throw line.
The The Lakers will return home for a Christmas showdown against the Houston Rocketsbefore ending 2025 with games against the Sacramento Kings and Detroit Pistons.
2025-12-24 07:24:00
