One of the biggest, if not the biggest, problems the Los Angeles Lakers had in the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Houston Rockets was ball security. They averaged 17.7 turnovers a game in the six games of that series, and Houston often found success in pressuring their ball-handling and baiting them into making risky passes.
The Lakers will now face the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals starting on Tuesday. If they thought Houston was excellent at forcing turnovers, they likely haven’t seen anything yet in this year’s postseason. While talking to the media on Sunday, coach JJ Redick said that taking care of the basketball will be L.A.’s biggest emphasis.
“The reality of their defense is that whatever moments we felt Houston pressuring, like the maximum amount of pressure they put on us, that’s OKC’s baseline. That’s their floor. They’re top-five in every category that’s disruptive-base: Steals, blocks, turnovers forced, all that stuff. And they don’t foul. They somehow do all of that without fouling, which is one of the most remarkable things I think in NBA history.”
During the regular season, the Thunder were second in opponents’ turnover percentage and first in points off turnovers, and they were first in defensive rating for the second year in a row. Many feel they’re one of the greatest defensive teams in NBA history, and the team’s roster is loaded with capable perimeter defenders, while big man Chet Holmgren (1.9 blocks a game in the regular season) patrols the paint.
On April 2, Los Angeles committed 18 turnovers against the Thunder and gave up 24 points off turnovers and 32 fast-break points in a 139-96 loss. Five days later, they gave up the basketball 17 times in a 123-87 defeat at the hands of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and crew.
If L.A. doesn’t limit its turnovers in this series, it will get knocked out in a hurry.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: JJ Redick on Lakers’ biggest key versus Thunder
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
