Lakers’ defensive buy-in propelled them to second round of NBA playoffs

Source: New York Post

HOUSTON — Austin Reaves couldn’t pinpoint exactly when it happened.   But he remembered what sparked the Lakers’ defensive turnaround, which has carried over for 3 ½ months, through their first-round playoff series victory over the Rockets, which ended with Friday’s 98-78 Game 6 victory at Toyota Center. The Lakers’ Deandre Ayton (5) and his teammates stymied the Rockets with their defensive intensity.