JJ Redick sees similarities in how the Suns and Spurs guarded LA in recent losses
Are teams starting to get it Los Angeles Lakers? LA has had a great season so far, but they have shown some chinks in their armor. They have lost three of their last five games, including losses to the Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics and, most recently, the San Antonio Spurs. It was tough week for LA, which dropped to fourth place in the Western Conference.
Interestingly, several teams seem to have found a potential plan to keep the Lakers. Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves have been a crazy one-two punch for LA this season. Their opponents seem to have picked up on the duo’s tendencies and where they can be used. Head coach JJ Redick emphasized the strategy that both Suns and Spurs employed against them.
“JJ Reddick pointed out that the Spurs played similar defense to the Suns last week, keeping the big (Cornett) to the rim on a deep drop like the Suns (Williams), not putting two on the ball, encouraging Doncic/Reeves non-deep contested twos,” Mike Trudell reported.
Doncic continued to have a great game, scoring 35 points, grabbing five rebounds and dishing out eight assists in a 132-119 loss to the Spurs. Reaves, on the other hand, had a relatively quiet outing. The Lakers guard scored just 15 points on 6-16 shooting. Reeves did contribute in other areas (eight rebounds, seven assists and a block), but both he and Doncic struggled with fouls throughout the game.
The loss to the Spurs knocked the Lakers out of contention NBA Cupbowing out in the quarterfinals. Even without Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio made relatively easy work of LA. Stephon Castle led the way with 30 points for the Spurs, while De’Aaron Fox added 20 points to lead them to victory.
2025-12-11 16:11:00
