Los Angeles-Listen to me, but what happens if the defense … wins the championships?
The defense definitely won an eliminatory match on the first round on Tuesday evening.
Perhaps this notion will help you to face the offensive that you especially found the Lakers offensive in two games in the playoffs. Maybe it will even give you a little hope for a race to come.
Stimulated by LeBron James, the 40-year-old superstar of the Lakers, the Lakers defended their rear for their series of seven series of the West Conference against the Minnesota Timberwolves, 1-1, winning a murderous rock fight in match 2, 94-85.
LeBron was a much more physical defense leader of the Lakers, where they needed him after the Timberwolves “Punked” – the word of Austin Reaves for this – them on Saturday evening, buried a franchise -Playoff record 21 shots at 3 points in an eruption of 117-95.
The Lakers collected the same total of points three nights later, but after the Timberwolves fired 51.2% (44 for 86) in match 1, they were 38% (30 out of 79) on the ground. And it was not fair that they missed the blows they made on Saturday, they did not take The same shots, withdrawing only 25 attempts of 3 points on Tuesday, and doing only five on the way to their fewer points all the season.
“Just to say that we won the match with our defense tonight,” said the first -year Lakers coach JJ Redick.
And what? A team from Luka Doncic maintained an opponent at 85 points in an post -season match – less than his former Dallas team abandoned in any match since he exchanged him in Los Angeles in February because, apparently, the brass of the Mavericks thought that they had to improve defensively.
What the Lakers needed was someone who could be counted to help take part of James’ shoulder burden – releasing him to use his informed veteran and what remains of his impressive athletics of preserved elsewhere.
As on defense.
Tuesday, Doncic once again obtained a summit of 31 points and nine assists, going 9 for 20 on the field and 11 for 11 of the Launche francs.
And it was enough. Even if all the other Lakers have combined to score 64 points, in this slugfest, Doncic has given enough to the Lakers.
He gave James enough.
“Obviously, the body will do what the body will do,” said James, “… just trying to give my teammates what I have offensively but more importantly defensively, helping to rebound, crash, to be physical. Also also to my mind to call the teams.”
We watched James crash and put in boxing and take 11 rebounds. We saw him help and collapse when he needed it. Saw him slide his feet and use his large body and made the required efforts in a victory for the playoffs.
Saw him find an extremely appropriate flight, dragging Anthony Edwards in Midcourt with 2:43 to play and the Timberwolves threatening to convert a quick break that would have reduced the advance of the seven points or six – or, if they would have drawn a game of four points from their hat, five.
Instead, the chief of the Lakers veteran slipped into the “hindsight” of Edwards, while James called him, snatched the ball and placed it to repel the advance at 11 points.
“I was able to sneak (and) … Use my athletics and my intelligence,” said James, who also had 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. “I thought that if I couldn’t steal it at least, I can make him change direction … It was not the points at that time, it was the momentum.”
It took a hell of a effort, but the Lakers fought on the momentum in the series as he went to Minnesota for matches 3 and 4 Friday and Sunday – when they will have to turn to another effort to have a chance.
James might not automatically make each shot he has made, and he might not make everything appear as effortless as he could. But the winning effort he made on Tuesday, with the Sky High and Dononic qualifiers making the heaviest offensive lifting, he came to the defensive. He came where it was the most precious, and perhaps the most rewarding.
“Just super happy,” said James on Tuesday evening. “I don’t take it for granted to be able to play this game again.”
California Daily Newspapers
