TITLE: Lakers Hold Candid Practice During Skid; Kings Gain Ground With Defensive Shift; Lopez Powers Short-Handed Clippers
SLUG: lakers-kings-clippers-practice-defense-lopez-threes
CONTENT:
LOS ANGELES — The Lakers opted for dialogue over drills one day after their Christmas Day setback against Houston, gathering for what head coach JJ Redick described as a “constructive, two-way conversation” aimed at halting a three-game slide.
Redick and his staff met early, then invited players to address both defensive lapses and an offense he conceded has become “disjointed” with too many hurried possessions. Injuries have compounded the problems, and Redick pointed out that LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have seldom shared the floor in recent weeks.
“I’m always going to look in the mirror first,” Redick said. “It was very positive, and it was also listening — for our staff and myself to listen to what the players need.”
Forward Rui Hachimura added that the group had “relaxed” after a strong opening stretch and stopped executing the basics. Despite the current skid, players insisted no fingers are being pointed inside the locker room.
Kings
SACRAMENTO — A lineup built on defense delivered for the Kings on Saturday as guard Keon Ellis, starting for the third time this season, helped spark a victory over Dallas. Ellis credited the win to collective effort and constant communication on the defensive end.
“There’ve been times when teams go on runs and we let go of the rope,” Ellis said. “Tonight, we didn’t.” Head coach Doug Christie’s revamped starters have now produced two wins in the last three games, providing a measure of consistency after a turbulent first two months.
Clippers
LOS ANGELES — Missing center Ivica Zubac, the Clippers received a timely reminder of Brook Lopez’s versatility. The veteran big man buried nine three-pointers Friday to erase a deficit against Portland and extend the club’s winning streak to three.
“He can post smaller guys, and when he’s on the perimeter, he can make shots,” head coach Tyronn Lue said, noting the matchup problems Lopez creates when properly deployed.
Los Angeles continues its run with Zubac out, leaning on Lopez’s inside-out game to keep momentum rolling.
Source: Hoops Wire
