Redick knows that the Lakers can't get complacent.
The Los Angeles Lakers flipped the script Saturday night, knocking off the Houston Rockets 107-98 in Game 1 at Crypto.com Arena without Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves available.
Head coach JJ Redick met with reporters at Monday's practice and made clear that nobody in the locker room plans to get comfortable with a 1-0 series lead, because letting up now is not an option with Game 2 set for Tuesday night in Los Angeles and the stakes climbing for both sides.
Redick Sets the Tone
"We know that they're going to be the more desperate team in Game 2 and we have to play with the same sort of desperation," Redick told reporters.
The comment was pointed and honest, because Houston had a full year to get the Lakers on their floor in a playoff setting and instead came out flat in the opener, leaving them down 0-1 on the road with the series flipping to Toyota Center on Friday for Game 3.
Redick wants his team coming in hungry rather than satisfied, and he said as much to the group after watching film, since there's a real concern about clubs in this spot getting a little too comfortable with a split on their mind.
Durant's Status Looms Large
Kevin Durant, who missed Game 1 with an ankle issue, is a game-time decision for Tuesday, and his return would give Houston a real scoring threat they badly need after managing just 98 points in the opener.
The Rockets finished the regular season 52-30 and fifth in the West while the Lakers wrapped up at 53-29 as the four seed, and that small gap matters plenty in a seven-game series where home court flips the math once rosters thin out in April basketball.
Durant averaged a team-high 26 points a night during the regular season, so his absence took away Houston's most reliable shot-creator, and his status alone could swing the tone of this series moving forward.
Why the Lakers Should Be Favored Now
Before Game 1, this series looked like a coin flip, but that isn't the case anymore after Los Angeles stole the opener without two starters.
They got a near triple-double from LeBron James at 19 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists, and watched Luke Kennard torch the Rockets for 27 points on a perfect 5-for-5 night from three.
Durant's availability remains murky, Doncic has started shooting again in practice, and the Lakers hold home court through a possible Game 5.
The pressure has flipped completely on Houston, because a 0-2 hole against an older but battle-tested Lakers club would be tough to climb out of even with Durant back in the lineup.
Redick knows his team is the favorite now, and he does not want them playing like it on Tuesday night.
Tipoff for Game 2 hits Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena.