Kevin Durant initially praised the Lakers’ defense after their March matchups, but he underestimated their playoff performance. The Lakers lead the series 2-0 against the Rockets, showcasing superior defense, limiting Houston to poor shooting percentages. Despite Durant’s return, he struggled with turnovers and scoring in Game 2, while the Lakers effectively executed defensive strategies against him. This unexpected defensive prowess has positioned the Lakers favorably for a potential 3-0 series lead.
