The Los Angeles Lakers got absolutely manhandled in their playoff opener on Saturday against the Minnesota Timberwolves and lost 117-95. All of a sudden, their championship hopes could come down to Game 2.
Luckily, they have had two full days off before Game 2, which will take place on Tuesday evening at Crypto.com Arena. That has given them ample time to not only rest and recuperate but also address what led to Saturday’s stunning blowout defeat.
Head coach JJ Redick held a practice on Monday and said it was the best one they had held in quite some time.
Via ESPN:
“Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick said Monday was the ‘best practice we’ve had in months,’ as L.A. prepared for Game 2 of its first-round series with the Minnesota Timberwolves,” wrote Dave McMenamin.
At the same time, Redick admitted that perhaps the team didn’t get enough work in during the five days off it had between its last regular-season game and Game 1.
“The first-year coach admitted, however, that had the Lakers approached their off days leading up to the playoffs with the same vigor, then maybe they wouldn’t have appeared as flat as they did in Saturday’s 117-95 Game 1 loss.
“‘We probably could have done a few more scrimmages,’ Redick said Monday.”
The Lakers reportedly zeroed in on their offensive ineptitude during Monday’s session. They shot just 39.8% from the field and only mustered six fast-break points on Saturday, and only Luka Doncic played up to his standards in that game.
The 15 assists they had were symptomatic of not just their inability to hit shots but also a lack of proper execution, and Redick harped on their lack of offensive organization.
“I think a lot of times you would hear that word and then you would think, ‘Oh, it’s the point guard calling a play,'” Redick said. “No, it’s just all of the normal stuff that we try to do, and when we do it, we’re really good. Being organized is screening. Being organized is getting to the proper spacing. Being organized is getting the corners filled after makes and misses. That’s being organized.”
On the other end, Los Angeles’ initial defense may have been solid, but it allowed 11 offensive rebounds and 23 second-chance points. That was one reason why the Timberwolves shot a sizzling 21-of-42 from 3-point range.
One should expect L.A. to play better in Game 2, but it remains to be seen how much better it will have to play to tie this series.