Lakers’ Redick Plans Quick Timeouts to Curb Thunder Scoring Spurs
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The Los Angeles Lakers open their Western Conference semifinal series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night, and head coach JJ Redick is adjusting his sideline tactics to keep the NBA’s top team from building insurmountable leads.
Los Angeles enters Game 1 at Crypto.com Arena as a heavy underdog. Redick remains without injured star Luka Doncic, and the Thunder defeated the Lakers in all four regular-season meetings. Speaking after practice, Redick said Oklahoma City’s ability to unleash rapid-fire scoring bursts makes delaying timeouts a luxury he can no longer afford.
“They’re really good at runs,” Redick noted. “Their defense creates live-ball turnovers that kill you. I like going into the fourth quarter with four timeouts and having two in the last 30 seconds, but you don’t have that luxury against them. The game can get away from you so quick.”
Redick pointed to Oklahoma City’s transition efficiency—best in the league by points per possession—and said that even in defeats the Thunder average 8.3 notable scoring runs. Limiting 12- to 15-point swings, he added, is essential to giving Los Angeles a chance to rely on its stronger late-game execution.
Marcus Smart, the Lakers’ defensive anchor, echoed the urgency while discussing MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. “Number one,” Smart answered when asked who is toughest to guard. “He does a really good job of getting to the free-throw line and he’s mastered it. We have to stay out of foul trouble and keep him off the line as much as possible.”
Tipoff for Game 1 is scheduled for Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. PT.
Source: Lakers Nation
