JJ Redick’s voice is starting to wear out from all the shouting during games. The Lakers need constant reminders of what their coach wants them to do on the court. Before the match on Tuesday, he made an important point: “We have to play a smart game.”
In their recent win against Charlotte, the Lakers played hard, but not smart. They were messy with their passes. Redick knew they couldn’t let that happen again, even against the 76ers, who were missing star players Joel Embiid and Paul George.
Sadly, the Lakers didn’t heed his advice and lost to the 76ers, 118-104. Redick’s calm demeanor quickly faded as he screamed direction at his team. He was visibly frustrated as mistakes piled up. LeBron James looked exasperated after a poorly aimed pass, while Max Christie stood helpless after a defensive mix-up.
The Lakers started the game strong, building a nine-point lead, but things changed when Bronny James Jr. struggled in defense. The situation worsened when Anthony Davis left the game in pain and didn’t return.
Without their key defender, the Lakers struggled to contain Tyrese Maxey, who scored with ease against their defense. The Lakers shot an impressive 70.6% but still saw themselves outscored 48-32 in the second quarter. Philadelphia capitalized on their chances, taking 16 free throws in that quarter alone. Dorian Finney-Smith even picked up three fouls in a short span.
The Lakers turned the ball over 22 times, and James, despite scoring 31 points, was responsible for eight of those turnovers. Rookie Dalton Knecht impressed with 24 points off the bench, while Maxey led all scorers with 43 points. The 76ers now have a seven-game winning streak against the Lakers in Philadelphia, averaging an 18.3-point victory margin.
The Lakers are set to face the Wizards on Thursday—a chance for redemption and to regain their momentum.
Source link
Lakers,JJ Redick,Philadelphia,Bronny James,Matt Slocum,Tyrese Maxey,Jaxson Hayes,LeBron James,Joel Embiid,Paul George,Rui Hachimura,76ers,Jarred Vanderbilt,Gabe Vincent,Anthony Davis,Dalton Knecht,Dorian Finney-Smith,Eric Gordon,Max Christie,Wizards
