After a good take

“I was glad to be back on the court for these high-pressure moments. But yeah, it was a bad game for me today,” Kevin Durant was unequivocal as he assessed the start of his series against the Lakers in Game 2.

Expected to boost a struggling Texan offense in the first game, which he missed, “KD” responded to that expectation at least in the first period. The forward showed diabolical efficiency, especially with his perimeter shots, going into halftime with 20 points.

Despite facing heavy defensive pressure from the Lakers, Durant remarked, “From the first possession, I received the ball at the top of the key, double-teamed, and took a hit. So yeah, they have confidence in this system, and it’s up to us to make them pay,” noted Durant, who lost his first ball to Marcus Smart seconds into the game.

As mentioned, the Californians continued to use this strategy (noticed in the regular season) in the second period, always leaving a second defender floating or sending him frontally in case Durant took the initiative. And more than once, “KD” found himself trapped.

“I have to keep the ball in my hands. I have to do better not to put my teammates in difficult positions when I pass the ball. Sometimes I could beat the double team, attack the rim, and make the shot a little easier for them. When I have two or three players on me, if I shoot, we can get the offensive rebound,” judged the future Hall of Famer.

“It will just make him even angrier for Game 3,”

However, in the second period, he focused more on trying to find his teammates. Even if it meant poorly adjusting his passes, as was the case for most of the evening. His teammates also have their responsibility. In a six-minute sequence towards the end, they were late to offer him a passing lane while Marcus Smart, once again, ended up intercepting the ball.

Also, when served in good conditions, Alperen Sengun, whom Durant tried to set up a lot, struggled to finish near the rim (20 points on 9/20 shooting). His coach Ime Udoka also recommended the center to be less hesitant when finishing.

However, Durant, being tightly guarded, only converted his first shot in the second period a few minutes before the end of the game. On the night, he finished with 23 points (7/12 including 1/4 from deep), 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, with a career-high 9 turnovers, an equal career negative record. LeBron James, however, doesn’t take “any satisfaction.”

“It will just make him even angrier for Game 3. We’re doing our job, but this guy is a future Hall of Fame member from his first year of eligibility, and he will make many more great plays than us. So, we feel no satisfaction. This game is done and dusted,” notes KD’s selection partner, who takes the opportunity to tease him about his height, claiming he is indeed seven feet tall.

The Rockets’ response is awaited for Game 3 on Friday in Houston. With an increase in accuracy needed for the Texans because, according to Durant, the difference lies only in that: “They make 3-pointers, and we don’t. Smart and Kennard delivered for them tonight. The previous game, it was Rui and Kennard hitting threes.” It’s up to him and his teammates to convert.