Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick praised his team’s ball movement, offensive decision-making and second-half defense after Monday’s 138-117 victory over the Miami Heat, highlighting a season-high 39 assists.
The Lakers recorded their most assists since Redick became head coach, while Luka Doncic finished with 42 points and 13 assists. Austin Reaves added 27 points, and Walker Kessler posted 15 points and 15 rebounds as Los Angeles improved to 6-2.
“I think there’s always room for improvement,” Redick said when asked whether the offense was approaching his vision for the roster. “It’s a really good offense that we’re playing right now.”
Redick pointed to Miami’s decision to double-team and blitz Doncic in the first half, saying the Lakers responded with decisive reads against the resulting defensive rotations.
“All the guys were very decisive with their closeout reads,” he said. “Just shoot, drive, kick it.”
He also singled out Reaves for his patience and ability to attack the defense. “I thought AR again with another game where he was super patient,” Redick said, highlighting his second-half work getting downhill and touching the paint.
The Lakers coach stressed that offensive production alone would not be enough to sustain their success. Miami scored 40 points in the first eight seconds of possessions in the first half, compared with 16 in the second half, according to Redick.
“We know we have to keep getting better there,” he said. “You have to be able to win games with your defense and not just win games with your offense.”
Redick said the coaching staff challenged the players at halftime to improve their transition defense, particularly by getting back after made baskets.
“This was not a pick-up full-court game,” he said. “They want to make it a track meet. They want to play high volume and early offense.”
Redick also explained how the Lakers want to respond when opponents send multiple defenders at Doncic. He said the team has several outlets in pick-and-roll, isolation and post situations, but emphasized that the next player receiving the ball must preserve the advantage.
“One of the things I think [Quentin Grimes] is really, really good at is when that first pass comes to him or even if it’s that second pass, keeping the advantage by driving,” Redick said. He also praised Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton and Reaves for their ability to attack closeouts.
Redick praised the team’s rebounding response, too, after previously challenging Doncic to improve defensively on the glass. Doncic had seven rebounds against Miami, while Jake LaRavia and Mamukelashvili also produced offensive rebounds that led to 3-pointers.
“I love the fact I think yesterday he had five offensive rebounds, if I’m not mistaken. Tonight he had four,” Redick said, referring to Doncic’s recent work on the offensive glass.
The Lakers visit Sacramento on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
