JJ Redick said on Friday that every playoff-bound team will be excited to face the LA Lakers without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Redick added that regardless of the opponent, the Lakers will have a tough battle on their hands.
After clinching the No. 4 spot on Sunday, the Lakers will host the Houston Rockets in the first round. Redick responded when asked about the upcoming playoff series against the Kevin Durant-led team:
“Houston’s a really, really good basketball team. We’re gonna prepare, and we’re gonna fight, and we’re gonna go and try win the series.”
The Lakers held off the Rockets in the race for the No. 4 seed to own the homecourt advantage. JJ Redick’s group will try to make that work to its advantage to compensate for the absences of Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique).
LA won the regular season series 2-1 by beating Houston in back-to-back matchups in mid-March. When the Lakers won those games, Doncic averaged 38.0 points on a sizzling 50.0% efficiency, including 37.9% from 3-point distance. The Slovenian also put up 7.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game to underline his overall impact. Reaves was also a key contributor in those wins, averaging 14.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 3.0 apg.
JJ Redick must prepare for the Rockets without those two in the lineup.
JJ Redick cites Marcus Smart’s playmaking importance amid Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves injuries
The LA Lakers signed Marcus Smart in the offseason to make him the team’s point of attack on defense. With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out, JJ Redick highlights an often-overlooked part of Smart’s game:
“We wanted to bring Smart here not just for his defense. … He’s graded out well as a secondary playmaker. He’s been in that position before. He knows how to get other guys involved.”
Redick added that it’s important for the Lakers not to just rely on LeBron James to handle playmaking duties.
Smart suffered an ankle injury in late March, forcing him to miss nine straight games. In two games since returning, he is averaging 8.5 assists per game, highlighting his capability as a playmaker.
Redick will count on him to ease the burden on James in running the offense.
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