The Los Angeles Lakers will open the conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, and they will do so as massive underdogs, with OKC entering the series as a minus-2000 favorite on the betting apps. Certainly, the regular season gave the Lakers little comfort in scouting out this matchup, as L.A. went 0-4 when facing the Thunder and the only matchup that the Lakers did not lose by more than 10 points came in a 119-110 February loss in which OKC played without reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The other losses: by 29 points in November; by 43 points in April; and by 36 points, also in April. To be fair, the Lakers were not completely healthy in any of those games, either, but the massive blowouts make the point. The Lakers were held below 100 points eight times this season, and three were in games against OKC.
For Lakers coach JJ Redick, that’s a daunting reality. The Thunder are one of the most physical and aggressive defensive teams in the NBA, but but they play defense with a certain precision–maybe a bit too precise for some coaches.
Thunder Forced 17.5 Lakers Turnovers Per Game
That’s one of the running complaints against the Thunder by opposing coaches, both in the playoffs and throughout the regular season. They guard ballhandlers aggressively all over the court, and tend to wear teams down that way–but they frequently avoid being penalized for it. It’s had an effect on the Lakers, no doubt, as the team averaged 17.5 turnovers against the Thunder,
But the Thunder draw among the least calls from the officials, despite their physicality. The Suns took only 19.4 free throws per game in the first round, which was the fewest in the playoffs thus far, and OKC sent opponents to the line 21.9 times in the regular season, which was seventh.
And Redick appeared not only well aware of that, but determined to lay some groundwork for the series with a message to the referees.
GettyShai Gilgeous-Alexander of the OKC Thunder.
JJ Redick’s Message: ‘Most Remarkable in NBA History’
On Sunday, Redick addressed reporters after Lakers practice and heaped praise on the Thunder’s defensive pressure and intensity. But it was his final line that caught special notice, and was subtly designed to send a message to the referees.
Said Redick: “The reality of their defense, the fact that whatever moments we felt Houston was pressuring the maximum amount of pressure they put on us, that’s OKC’s baseline. That’s their floor. You’re talk about a team that’s Top 5 in every category that’s disruptive-based. Steals, blocks, turnovers forced, all that stuff.”
And he finished (emphasis is ours): “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.”
JJ Redick Probably Can’t Change Lakers Fate in Thunder Series
Redick, of course, does not actually think that the Thunder’s fouling numbers are the “most remarkable thing” that has ever happened in the NBA. But the Lakers coach is taking a page out of the playbook of all top postseason coaches–Phil Jackson was a master of it–by saying something absurd enough to get the attention of whatever refs might be officiating his games.
The Thunder are physical, the message is, and they’re way too physical to not have more fouls whistled against them. Redick wanted that to be well-known before the series starts–and, in reality, even if the message is received, OKC might simply be too talented for the Lakers. But Redick’s subtle effort should, at least, be appreciated.
Lakers’ JJ Redick Delivers Cryptic Message on Thunder Before Game 1