{"id":181658,"date":"2026-03-15T12:49:55","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T16:49:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=181658"},"modified":"2026-03-15T12:56:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T16:56:20","slug":"marcus-smart-difference-maker-lakers-playoffs-near","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/03\/15\/marcus-smart-difference-maker-lakers-playoffs-near\/","title":{"rendered":"Marcus Smart Becoming Difference-Maker As Playoffs Near"},"content":{"rendered":"

When <\/span>Marcus Smart<\/span><\/a> signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers this past summer, the veteran <\/span>said<\/span><\/a> he wanted to return to a big stage and impact a winning team.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want to see a prime example of that, look no further than Saturday night.<\/span><\/p>\n

Smart finished with 21 points<\/span><\/a> (8-15 FG, 5-12 3PT), five steals, three rebounds, two assists and a block as the Los Angeles Lakers scaled the mountain that was an overtime duel against the Denver Nuggets. At No. 3 in the West with a five-game winning streak and another tough road trip ahead, Smart showed how he can play a key role toward LA\u2019s championship hopes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Marcus Smart Becoming Difference-Maker As Playoffs Near<\/h2>\n

3-and-D to a Tee<\/h3>\n

Smart joined LA knowing he could help as a two-way spark plug, and two clutch plays against the Nuggets illustrated that perfectly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Late in the fourth quarter, following <\/span>LeBron James<\/span><\/a>\u2019 Superman dive<\/a> that led to a jump ball, Smart poked the ball away from <\/span>Aaron Gordon<\/span><\/a> and converted a go-ahead layup with 46 seconds remaining.<\/span><\/p>\n

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MARCUS STRIP AND SCORE FOR THE LEAD<\/p>\n

DPOY SMART\ud83d\udd10\ud83d\udd10\ud83d\udd10\ud83d\udd10 pic.twitter.com\/XeSGH4h8mg<\/a><\/p>\n

— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) March 15, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n