Connect with us

Rockets

Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma satisfied with defense on James Harden

Kyle Kuzma, James Harden

Los Angeles Lakers sophomore Kyle Kuzma was outstanding on Thursday, as he helped his team to a 111-106 victory against the Houston Rockets.

Following the contest, Kuzma was all praises for his team’s effort, particularly on the defensive end, as they were able to somewhat contain MVP candidate James Harden in the matchup:

Harden did still manage a game-high 30 points in this one, but we must give the Lakers credit for not allowing him to reach his league-leading 36.5 points per game average on the season. The 29-year-old also made just two connections from deep, which is less than half of his season average of 5.0 3-pointers per ballgame.

Kuzma went on to say that the key was preventing Harden from forcing his way to the charity stripe, where he is currently shooting at an amazing 87.1 percent clip:

Harden is also averaging 11.4 trips to the free-throw line so far this season, so the fact that the Lakers were able to hold him to just 6-of-7 from the stripe speaks volume on the type of discipline they had in defending the seven-time All-Star throughout the contest.

For his part, Kuzma did have himself a game as well, scoring 18 points on 6-of-13 from the floor. The 23-year-old also notched two 3-pointers, six rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block in yet another all-around performance for the Lakers.

Los Angeles are off on Friday, but will be back on action on Saturday as they take on Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans.

The post Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma satisfied with defense on James Harden appeared first on ClutchPoints.

More in Rockets