JJ Redick had a plan in place for 2 Houston Rockets gamers and the LA Lakers performed it to perfection.
The Los Angeles Lakers have now improved to a 46-29 file within the 2024-25 NBA season following a stable win over the Houston Rockets.
In a low-scoring sport, each groups placed on a defensive clinic. The Rockets performed a number of big-men lineups to get a profit over the Purple and Gold.
Regardless of that, head coach JJ Redick trusted his small-man lineup. That was evident from Jaxson Hayes taking part in lower than three minutes within the second half of the competition.
The Rockets have some gifted large males on the roster, together with Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams. Each gamers are recognized for his or her unbelievable rebounding abilities.
Evidently, coach Redick was ready for it and devised a particular technique to nullify the 2 Rockets stars’ influence on rebounds as a lot as doable.
“Defensively, it’s simply packing the paint and getting rebounds. I feel we did that tonight. LeBron 8 rebounds, Austin 8 Rebounds, Luka 6 rebounds, Doe 6 rebounds, Gabe 4 rebounds, Vando 6 rebounds.
“That’s how now we have to regulate the glass, by committing. I informed [the guys] this was very express, in case you are on Sengun and Adams, you aren’t going to get the rebound, it’s your job to field out, it’s anyone else’s job to come back in and tip the ball to a teammate or get the rebound.”
Each Sengun and Adams are 6’11 and common a mixed 15.9 rebounds per sport this season. Even in opposition to the Lakers, the duo pulled a mixed 18 rebounds.
However credit score to the Lakers for guaranteeing they boxed out different gamers and grabbed boards off the glass.
In a 104-98 win, dropping the rebound battle may turn out to be the distinction between the 2 sides. The Rockets completed the sport with 51 rebounds.
Even with a small-ball lineup on the court docket for almost all of the minutes, the Lakers ended the evening with 45 rebounds to their identify.
A key purpose behind it was coach Redick’s technique because the Lakers allowed the 2 Rockets large males to get their rebounds. However they boxed out different gamers and closed out the distinction.
The Lakers at the moment are on a two-game successful streak and maintain the fourth spot within the loaded Western Convention.
