Game 3 nearly slipped away from Marcus Smart and the Los Angeles Lakers, but an overtime thriller gave the visitors a chance to seal the deal with a win.
The Lakers once again stunned the Houston Rockets, who had all of the support in the NBA world as supposed winners.
After being doubted by nearly every analyst in pre-playoff predictions, the Lakers have proved a major point. With or without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers are a threat in the Western Conference.
Being up 3-0, the Lakers are comfortable. However, they aren’t approaching Game 4 by telling themselves that.
Marcus Smart Reveals Mindset Going Into Game 4
GettyPHOENIX, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 26: Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 26, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 113-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
“For us, we’re just trying to have that killer mentality right now. We got them on the ropes and it’s our job to try to finish and their job to fight back,” Smart told reporters.
“That’s been JJ’s motto all year, bend don’t break. I think we really took that to head for us, we lived it, instilled it in us, and you see that the way we played these three games. But we gotta be like a lion. We gotta have that killer instinct. We got them on the ground, we just gotta finish them off and keep our foot on their neck.”
GettyEL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers during Los Angeles Lakers Media Day at UCLA Health Training Center on September 29, 2025 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Marcus Smart has played a stellar series for the Lakers against the Rockets.
The veteran guard checked into Game 3 for 39 minutes. He shot 5-9 from the field and hit on 2-4 shots from beyond the arc. By adding nine free throws, Smart wrapped up the game with 21 points.
The Lakers’ vet logged a double-double with 10 assists, four rebounds, five steals, and two blocks to go with his line.
After the overtime matchup, the Lakers put the Rockets away 112-108.
The Lakers Can Be The First To Sweep
GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 20: Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers during play against the LA Clippers in the second half at Intuit Dome on December 20, 2025 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Currently, the Lakers are the only team in the playoffs with a 3-0 lead. They’ll continue their playoff run on Sunday night, tipping off Game 4 at 9:30 PM ET.
Considering the Rockets have struggled without Kevin Durant and haven’t been able to get a healthy version of their star forward on the court, Houston is in a tough spot going against a red-hot Lakers team.