3 ways JJ Redick can use lessons from Nuggets loss to steer Lakers to wins in LeBron James’ absence

Head coach JJ Redick has to steer his Los Angeles Lakers through a tough schedule while playing without key players.

3 ways JJ Redick can use lessons from Nuggets loss to steer Lakers to wins in LeBron James’ absence

JJ Redick has to stop Los Angeles Lakers from dropping more games

The Los Angeles Lakers have lost four straight games after a stellar stretch that started in January. Now with LeBron James and a few others struggling with injuries, JJ Redick and his available players have a tough task to try and stem this stretch of losses.

They were blown out by the Milwaukee Bucks in their previous game. That performance gave everyone the indication that Luka Doncic‘s performances were not enough to help them win. They were not defensively as resilient as they were before, and that led to them bleeding a lot of points.

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Coming to their game against the Denver Nuggets today, Doncic did not suit up. The team had to call in Bronny James from the G League to help fill the bench. What many considered was going to be a blowout, eventually turned into an exciting game.

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Austin Reaves and Dalton Knecht led the Lakers to lead the Nuggets with less than a minute to go. Only for them to eke out three plays that turned the game on its head. But this game showed three ways JJ Redick can help the Lakers play a good brand of basketball.

Spread the scoring burden

The Bucks used a clever plan when they blew the Los Angeles Lakers out. They let Luka Doncic score at will while clamping down the rest of the players. This meant they could essentially defend five against four. But tonight’s game against the Denver Nuggets was different.

With scoring primarily spread to two players, the Nuggets could not isolate one. Then the Lakers bench scored in spurts, further causing problems for the home team. If Redick can spread the offense around while keeping Doncic as the primary playmaker, the team can play a lot better.

If Luka Doncic gets going early, opposition defenders will start paying attention. Then, he can help his teammates to start scoring, which can now confuse the opposition game plan. If defenses try to limit Doncic early, he can resort to his array of magical passes to get his teammates going.

This spread-out offense is more potent and effective than having all eggs in one basket like they did against the Bucks. Considering they have back-to-back games, this varied offense will also help players stay fresh. Over dependence on one can exhaust that player earlier than desired.

JJ Redick has to demand defensive perfection from the bench

In today’s game against the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers did not have a couple of their best defenders. Even then, whenever the bench came in, they stopped the home team from opening up a gap. That defense was responsible for keeping the game in hand in that crucial fourth quarter.

Considering bench players are hungry for playing time, Redick can coax them to concentrate on just defense. That will be enough to ensure the game stays within reach and their offensive players get enough rest.

Defending in space was the Lakers’ biggest weapon starting from January. All the team needs to do is to ensure their effort levels are high. A lack of effort allows the opposition easy points, as was evident against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Effort on every possession

One of the major problems the Los Angeles Lakers faced in November and December was a lack of effort. In the tight Western Conference, one loss can alter the standings. When those losses multiply, a team can end up in an unfavorable playoff matchup.

Last season, the Denver Nuggets gave up a visit to the White House to focus on playoff position. If the men in purple and gold can get that message across, their effort levels should be back to it has been. Their collective effort can help them stop this streak of losses.

Since they are returning home, at least they do not have to worry about jet lag. All they need to do is to keep the effort levels up, and they could keep the team from falling beyond fifth. Any lower, and the team risks a first-round playoff exit. The Lakers have shown they are good enough to stay above that.