Lakers Top Rockets 101-94 as Smart Smothers Durant Sport By lines April 22, 2026 Marcus Smart drained five threes and smothered Kevin Durant Tuesday night. The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Houston Rockets 101-94 for a 2-0 lead. Smart Holds Durant to 1-for-3 in 18 Direct Matchups Kevin Durant scored 23 points on 7-for-12 shooting in his return from a right knee tendon bruise. Kevin Durant shot 1-for-3 against Marcus Smart over 18 defensive possessions, per ESPN Research. Kevin Durant committed nine turnovers, a playoff career-worst. Houston shot 40.4 percent and failed to reach 100 points for a second straight game. LeBron James led the Los Angeles Lakers with 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Marcus Smart shot 8-for-13 from the field and 5-for-7 from three for 25 points. Marcus Smart added seven assists and five steals. Luke Kennard chipped in 23 points for the Los Angeles Lakers. The Los Angeles Lakers led by 15 before Houston cut the margin to five with three minutes left. Marcus Smart answered with his fifth three to stretch the lead back to eight with 2:23 remaining. Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic remain out since April 2 with Grade 2 strains. Game 3 tips Friday night in Houston. Related Sports Coverage Lakers Top Rockets 107-98 in Bronny, LeBron Milestone Durant Misses Game 1 vs. Lakers With Knee Injury Lakers Host Rockets Game 1 With LeBron vs Durant Source: ESPN.
