The Los Angeles Lakers got a big 107-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. JJ Redick can breathe a sigh of relief as his team broke a three-game losing streak last night. Both before and after the game, he addressed several different topics. Redick addressed the media after the game, praising Anthony Davis and Rui Hachimura for their offensive contribution tonight.
On Anthony Davis and Rui Hachimura running the offense tonight:
“I thought the AD-Rui combo was really great in the two-man. They couldn’t stop it. Maybe we didn’t need to touch the paint tonight.”
Redick also answered some of the reporters’ other questions. You can check out the highlights from his press conference below.
What helped the Lakers get the win tonight:
“There’s a few things. Half-court shot creation, having another ball-handler out there. We really wanted to play in the middle of the floor tonight. They have some young guys that really try to pressure you. And we didn’t feel like playing on the side was good.”
“Didn’t feel like playing in the post was good either because they flood with the low guy, and they’re disruptive… They get you out of your flow offensively if you are stagnant. So we just wanted to play in the middle of the floor.”
“I thought Rui in that second quarter was great. And D-Lo having a big-time game, AD was fantastic. Defensively for us, a number of guys played really well – Gabe Vincent, Max Christie, Cam Reddish – It was overall a really good game for our group.”
Whether tonight’s win will impact player rotations going forward:
“I think you have to adapt throughout the season with what works for the group and what works for different players. I will say, night to night, LeBron and AD are going to have the ball and the offense is going to run through them. How we do that has been different at different times throughout the year.”
“The other guys are really good offensive players, really talented. There’s nights where it’s their night and there’s nights where it’s not. Some of it is feel, but you have to be open to mixing different things in.”
“When LeBron was scratched, I went into my office and I put seven ATOs together that didn’t involve him. One of which was for Rui… I don’t think we’ve called an ATO for him since the preseason. We executed it, and we ended up running it seven or eight times, and they stopped it once. That flexibility is important.”
Redick had also spoken earlier in the day and spoke about the team heading into the game against the Trail Blazers. He mentioned that LeBron James missing last night’s game gives him the chance to get four days of rest before their next outing.
“He has an opportunity to get four days rest before we practice again, so it could be good for him”
Redick also addressed the Lakers’ defensive schemes and combinations, and why they focus so much on switching. He noted that he is still early in his role as head coach, and is trying to work out the best combinations while trying to get a look at everyone through the switch-and-play method.
“It’s been good. It’s given us a few good defensive games. I think we’re figuring out which lineups and which combination of players we can switch with. I think that’s the biggest thing.”
The Lakers had Anthony Davis put on a magnificent performance with 30 points (10-21 FG), 11 rebounds, one assist, two steals, and five blocks. D’Angelo Russell also contributed off the bench with 27 points (9-17 FG), 14 assists, five rebounds, and one steal.
Rui Hachimura had a decent game against the Trail Blazers as well, with 23 points (9-13 FG), five rebounds, two assists, four steals, and one block.
The Lakers definitely needed a performance like this but they cannot get complacent with these celebrations.
They must focus on their upcoming game on Friday night at 8 PM EST when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at home. With LeBron James likely to return by then, the Lakers will want to build on the win tonight and start to put together a run.
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