Marcus Smart’s assignment in Game 2 of the Lakers’ first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets was as challenging as it gets. Guard Kevin Durant, the greatest scorer of all-time. What was going through his mind?

The Rockets had Kevin Durant back for Game 2 of their first-round matchup Tuesday. But the Lakers had Marcus Smart guard him in their 101-94 win to take a 2-0 series lead.

Marcus Smart has stepped into a leadership role for the Lakers, helping them believe they can beat Houston without Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves.

In Game 1, it was Luke Kennard who caught fire and made Los Angeles Lakers playoff history with his performance against the Houston Rockets. In Game 2, however, it was Marcus Smart who was the catalyst for the Lakers taking a 2-0 series lead. Smart knocked ...

Kevin Durant was back for the Rockets. That made the marquee matchup “LeBron James vs. Durant,” a showdown of two of the all-time greats. LeBron winning that showdown is not why the Lakers are up 2-0 in their series with the Rockets.

Marcus Smart admitted he felt a slightly new feeling in his return to the playoffs with the Los Angeles Lakers after missing the last couple.