The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Washington Wizards comfortably on Monday night, and JJ Redick talked about what worked for his team.
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Washington Wizards on Monday, 120-101 for their 12th victory in their last 13 games. Afterward, head coach JJ Redick met with the media to discuss a number of topics.
Redick started by praising big men Jaxson Hayes and Deandre Ayton, who were once again effective. Ayton and Hayes combined for 31 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks while going 13-13 from the field after they combined for 19 points and eight blocks in a 116-99 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.
Big Performance From the Big Men
“Yeah, it's so important for those guys, for our team, for them to put pressure on the rim, and they've done it in a number of ways,” Redick said. Then in transition, Jaxson gets ahead of his guy early. Bron hits him, he gets a dunk. DA, just as a roller, I thought it was great tonight.”
Redick lauded what Hayes has been able to do when the Lakers are spacing and pointed to an and-one opportunity Hayes earned after taking the time to gather at the rim. He also made it clear that when the Lakers are touching the paint, they are elite. Therefore, he wants the big men to apply pressure on the paint instead of sitting on the perimeter.
Overall, Redick believes that Ayton and Hayes are playing their best basketball of the season and that they have worked diligently to improve part of their game such as footwork, pick and roll, etc.
Luke Kennard
Redick also praised Luke Kennard, who scored 19 points and went 7-10 from the field and 4-5 from 3-point range in the win.
“He's a problem,” Redick said. “He's just very steady and very consistent in execution and effort. Obviously, there's a gravity that he has off the ball, both as a spacer and as a mover, and he has just been a terrific decision maker for us. And good to see him have a big scoring night.”
Since Kennard joined the Lakers at the trade deadline, he has appeared in 25 games (one start) and has averaged 8.2 points while shooting 54.5% from the field, 49.1% from 3-point range and 92.6% from the free throw line.
A Strange Start and LeBron's Longevity
The Lakers led by as many as 30 points in the win, but Redick pointed to the team having what he called “a strange start” offensively. Redick pointed to several shot attempts that rattled in and out and a failed uncontested dunk attempt by LeBron James, but thought the Lakers did a better job offensively in the second half despite some turnovers.
Redick also touched on the performance of James, who finished the night with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in the absence of Luka Doncic, who was serving a one-game suspension after earning his 16th technical foul of the season against Brooklyn.
“I would just say he's very praiseworthy,” Redick said. “I don't know what else to say about it at this point. I tried to give every version of the same soliloquy on his longevity.”