Marcus Smart on game-saving steal, foul and free throws in Game 3

"We knew that they were going to try to ice the game, right?" Smart said. "We needed to make a play, and just using my instincts, Jabari Smith, I think it was him who made the pass, and I just stunted to see what he does. He picked his dribble up and now he's in no-man's land. He threw a loft pass for me to recover and I got it, and as I looked at the clock, I see Tate running really fast, and I'm like, 'OK. He's probably not going to be able to stop in time.' So I just pulled up right away and he ran right under me."

Smart was as pivotal as anyone on the Lakers when it came to this victory. He played 39 minutes and finished with a very efficient 21 points, plus a game-high 10 assists, four rebounds, five assists and two blocks. With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out due to injury, he has picked things up a lot offensively. After averaging 9.3 points and three assists a game in the regular season, he is putting up 20.3 points and 8.3 assists per game while shooting 52.9% overall and 50% from 3-point range so far in this series.

He has fully returned to form after suffering through a couple of frustrating and injury-plagued seasons prior to this one. Now, he and his teammates will look to send the Rockets home for the summer in Game 4 on Sunday.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Marcus Smart on game-saving steal, foul and free throws in Game 3