There have been major questions surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers’ ability to play championship-level defense with a team built around offensive-focused stars in Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James. But recently, the Lakers are showing that they are capable of defending at a high level, even against top offenses.
The Minnesota Timberwolves were the second straight top 10 scoring team the Lakers held well below their average in their 120-106 victory. The Lakers held the Timberwolves to just 68 points through three quarters and shut them down from deep as Minnesota shot just 25% from 3-point range.
Afterwards, Doncic was very happy with the Lakers’ effort defensively, praising Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton in particular, but feeling that the team as a whole was excellent on that end of the court.
“It was very encouraging and very special to play this game,” Luka said. “I think everybody that stepped on the court did an amazing job. Everybody fought til the end and that’s how we got this win… I think [the Lakers’ energy & effort] was collective. Obviously Smart is our leader in that and did a great job. I think DA today was amazing for us. Outside of that I think we collectively did it all. And obviously they push us too and I think we did an amazing job today.”
Perhaps most impressive was the job the Lakers did on Anthony Edwards, the NBA’s second-leading scorer who shot just 2-of-15 from the field, finishing with only 14 points, less than half of his season average. Luka again mentioned Smart, but also reminded that it takes a team effort to corral someone like Edwards
“A lot,” Doncic responded when asked what it takes to contain Edwards. “Obviously it starts with Smart he was starting on him, but for guys like that you need the whole team to stop him it’s not just one guy, so I think we did a great job. Like I said obviously it started with Smart, but a lot of times it’s tough to stop players like that and we did a great job today.”
It wasn’t just on this night, but the past couple of weeks overall that the Lakers have reached another level on defense and an important reason for this in the eyes of Doncic is the improved communication.
“Probably just effort and communication,” he added. “I think communication is very important on the defensive end. I think we’re talking to each other a lot so that helps everybody to get to their spots on the defensive end.”
With Doncic, Reaves and James, the Lakers will be able to keep up with most teams offensively, but it is their ability to get stops that will determine how far they can go in the playoffs. If they can continue to defend at this level, the Lakers could go much further than people expect.
Lakers coach JJ Redick praises Deandre Ayton for performance vs. Timberwolves
Another big reason for the Lakers’ victory and improvement defensively has been the play of center Deandre Ayton and head coach JJ Redick praised him for his ‘fantastic’ performance against the Timberwolves.
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