Coachspeak · LAL

LALGameplan𝕏 Beat1h

LaRavia says Lakers' rebounding issues come down to physicality and all five crashing.

“We are missing, you know, our seven-foot, you know, two center and walker. So that's going to help a little bit when he comes back. For the most part, it's just about getting to the bodies and being physical, making sure all five guys are crashing.”

LALGameplan𝕏 Beat1h

The defensive plan is to pressure the opposing best players while keeping the ball in front.

“Putting pressure on the other team's best players. But just doing that, but being able to keep the ball in front at the same time, not getting blow-by's... We want them to pressure but be smart while doing it.”

LALGameplan𝕏 Beat1h

Reaves says the Lakers want to model their disruptive.

“You obviously want to defend without fouling. You want to be disruptive enough to make them turn the ball over. You just got to find that fine line to where you're not fouling too much. But heating the ball up at the same time, I think, you know, OKC does really. Those are probably top five in all defensive categories and I think 23rd in fouls or something like that last year. So, do what they do.”

LALAdou Thiero · Matisse Thybulle · Jake LaRavia · Ziaire Williams · Walker KesslerGameplan𝕏 Beat3h

The Lakers wings keep impressing defensively with activity and deflections.

“Adou Thiero, Matisse Thybulle and Jake LaRavia (and Ziaire Williams who is out tonight) all continue to impress on the wings defensively. Activity, pressure, hands, deflections. All without a traditional low man. Adding Walker Kessler to the backline will be interesting.”

LALGameplan𝕏 Beat2d

Redick still expects the Lakers to meet their standards while missing stars and depth.

“We've had a handful of these games as a coach where you're missing star players. You're missing a lot of your depth. And I still expect to win, and I still expect us to play to our standards. And that first half did not meet my expectations, and I let them know that.”