The Lakers frustrated Kevin Durant into nine turnovers by blitzing him every possession.
After the Lakers took Game 1, desperation naturally had to set in for the Rockets. No team wants to fall down 2-0, as those who hold that lead go on to win 92.7% of the time.
Houston was held to an abysmal 37% from the floor in the playoff opener, setting the stage for superstar Kevin Durant to return and, theoretically, fix their offensive problems in Game 2. He was upgraded to available hours before tipoff, seemingly shifting the series back in their control.
The Lakers had other plans.
They held the Rockets to under 100 points for the second straight game and took a commanding 2-0 series lead. The purple and gold dished out a cold serving of deja vu, pulling out the exact same defensive game plan they used a month ago with Houston once again failing to come up with any solutions.
Durant started Game 2 on fire, hitting his first four shots before the purple and gold decided it was enough. They switched back into their defensive rotation bag and got the ball out KD’s hands.
It began at the end of the first quarter. In the clip below, Durant comes to the screen for Alperen Şengün. The Lakers’ scheme is to switch any of his screen actions, negating its advantage, and then to blitz or “fire,” as head coach J.J. Redick calls it, to get the ball out of his hands.
LeBron James meets Şengün at the free throw line, Jake Laravia plays the low man role, dropping down on Amen Thompson, and they strategically leave the player on the wing, Tari Eason, open. The intention is to live with a late contest on shooters they deem unable to consistently hurt them.
This defense not only takes the ball out of the superstar’s hands, but it also forces role players who are not accustomed to being playmakers to make split-second pass-shot decisions, which are even more sped up by playoff intensity and physicality.
LA has practiced this defense numerous times in the regular season, so it is prepared to dish out now. Every player being in sync means any hesitation from the offense allows the connective group to recover and take away the given advantage.
Watch below as Durant is doubled once again on a straight line drive attempt. The Rockets made five passes following his kick out, including one that got the basketball back in his hands.
No open shot created as the Lakers cleanly recover and Jabari Smith is forced to heave at the end of the clock.
This all culminated in one of the bigger moments of Game 2. With LA nursing a five-point lead late in the fourth, Durant and Şengün run their pet screen action in the clip below. The Lakers switch the play, with a double likely coming once Durant decides to attack.
Looking to move the ball before it happens, Durant whips a one-handed pass to the corner that’s deflected by LeBron and stolen by Luke Kennard. LA scores on the other end and pushes the lead back to a comfortable spot.
LA frustrated Durant into nine turnovers overall and just 1-5 shooting in the second half. Every successful defensive possession that leads to a turnover, an indecisive shot, or a rushed pass increases the brewing confidence of the Lakers team to dig their teeth in more.
It’s filled a squad left for dead in public perception with the belief of life. A roster of subpar defenders, at best, has a blueprint to follow that’s leading to playoff wins.
Houston has two days to sit with this film and make adjustments before Game 3 on Friday. The questions to the test are readily available, as they’ve been available for months before this matchup, but it remains to be seen if the Rockets have any answers.
You can follow Raj on X at @RajChipalu
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