“Jazz Got Robbed” – Utah Fans Fuming Over What Marcus Smart Did to Keyonte George in Lakers’ Ugly Win
LA Lakers coach JJ Redick inserted Marcus Smart back with 5:8 seconds remaining on Sunday to hound Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George. With LA leading 108-106, Utah needed its emerging star to make a basket. Before Svi Mykhailiuk could inbound the ball, Smart held George before seemingly pushing him to the floor.
The referees did not call a foul on the Lakers’ defensive ace, prompting fans to react:
Thanks for the submission!
“Jazz got robbed!”
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One fan said:
Refs just saw Smart push Keyonte and didnt call it. Refs win another game for Lakers. Classic👏👏👏
Another fan added:
He not only fouled him, he tackled him.
One more fan continued:
he did he always fouls. if its marcus smart it’s a foul
Another fan commented:
They got away with 2. Marcus Smart fouls Keyonte before the ball is thrown in play and then again on Nurk on the rebound. The Jazz NEVER get calls. And the refs never seem to give coach real explanations.
After Luka Doncic made a free throw to give the Lakers a 2-point lead, the Jazz unsurprisingly went to the red-hot George. Redick correctly guessed who the home team wanted to take the shot, which was why Smart re-entered the game.
Marcus Smart already held Keyonte George’s right arm while Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic screened for his teammate. Smart kept holding George, refusing to let Nurkic’s pick free the emerging star. George tumbled while trying to get the inbounds pass.
Mykhailiuk avoided a five-second violation by passing the ball to Nurkic, who gave the ball to George for a corner pick-and-roll play. Lakers center Maxi Kleber was all over the 6-foot-5 guard, forcing George to miss a 22-footer.
The Jazz trailed 98-85 midway through the fourth quarter after Luka Doncic hit a 3-pointer. Behind Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen, they rallied to nearly pull off the come-from-behind win.
Marcus Smart led Lakers in plus-minus in close win against Jazz
Since JJ Redick’s starters returned, Marcus Smart has resumed a bench role for the Lakers. He had the third-most minutes (17) from the role players but was arguably the most impactful in the lineup. The Lakers outscored the Jazz by 18 points when Smart was on the floor.
The former Boston Celtics captain tallied six points and one block. He guarded whoever Redick wanted him to hound. Smart even spent some time helping shackle Lauri Markkanen to 20 points.
With the game on the line, Redick pulled out Gabe Vincent for the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, who promptly hounded Keyonte George. LeBron James shadowed Markkanen while Austin Reaves guarded Ace Bailey.
Utah’s weakside action saw Bailey screen for Markkanen to create a mismatch. Reaves stood firm, preventing the 7-foot-1 Finn from freeing himself for an inbounds pass.
Marcus Smart also wouldn’t let Keyonte George receive the ball, which forced Svi Mykhailiuk to go to Jusuf Nurkic. Smart did not stop the final attempt, but he broke the play that helped the Lakers seal the win.
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Edited by Michael Macasero
