As the NBA season enters its most crucial phase, the Lakers find themselves in a promising position. Currently sitting fifth in the Western Conference, they're just a game away from snagging the No. 3 spot. With a strong push, they could secure home-court advantage for the playoffs.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick is optimistic about their prospects. “We’ve got an opportunity to, I think, play our best basketball after the All-Star break,” Redick shared after Thursday’s practice. He pointed to positive trends on both offense and defense, noting that the timing is perfect as the team is now fully healthy.
Heading into their post-All-Star break matchup against the Clippers, the Lakers are injury-free. This means LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves will be on the court together, a rare occurrence this season, having happened only ten times. If they can stay healthy, their combined talent could elevate the team and lead to a winning streak.
However, success hinges on more than just these three stars meshing well. Redick has observed improvements across the board in recent weeks.
“Defensively, since we went to zone the last 14 games, we’ve been much better,” he explained. The Lakers have emerged as the top half-court defense when starting in a zone, with improved transition play thanks to their quick resets.
Offensively, the Lakers have excelled with high paint touch rates, proving elite when they penetrate the paint. Redick emphasized the importance of ball movement and trust among players, which translates into assists and, ultimately, victories.
The shift to zone defense has been a game-changer. Over the last 14 games, the Lakers boast a defensive rating of 112.7, ranking them 13th in the NBA-a significant leap from their season-long 116.6 rating, which placed them 23rd.
They've also averaged 25.9 paint touches per game, the fourth-most in the league, and have gone 9-5 during this period. This level of performance is crucial as they aim to climb the Western Conference standings.
With 28 games remaining, maintaining momentum and health will be vital for the Lakers. Their journey continues with a critical game against the Clippers. As the season shifts from a marathon to a sprint, the Lakers need to dig deep and finish strong.