The LA Lakers may have won Game 1, but their head coach JJ Redick wants to remain desperate in Game 2 against the Houston Rockets.
Talking to the media during their practice session, Redick explained that the Lakers should carry the same desperation in Game 1 to keep the Rockets at bay before the series shifts to Houston in Game 3.
“We have to play with the same sense of desperation,” Redick said. Every day requires something different. Tomorrow is going to require an elevated sense of desperation on our part because they’re going to come in with that.”
“There’s a lot of stuff that we can do better and a lot of stuff we can clean up,” he added. “We know that they’re going to be the more desperate team in game two and we have to play with the same sense of desperation we had in game one.”
Just like in Game 1, the Lakers are expected to miss Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves in Game 2, leaving the likes of LeBron James, Luke Kennard, Rui Hachimura, and DeAndre Ayton to carry the offensive load once more.
The Rockets played without Kevin Durant in Game 1 due to a knee injury. In the latest injury report, Durant is listed as questionable to play. Nevertheless, other reports have him as a game-time decision for the Rockets.
Lakers See Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves Return To Shooting Practice With Team Ahead of Game 2
GettyLuka Dončić and Austin Reaves return to practice for the Lakers.
As Game 2 approaches, the Lakers see good news from their top two scorers, Doncic and Reaves, as the two guards were seen participating in shooting and dribbling drills on the team’s Monday morning practice.
Doncic and Reaves have been expediting their recovery to play with the Lakers in the first round against the Rockets.
Doncic has been hobbled with a left hamstring strain, while Reaves nurses a left oblique strain. Both injuries were picked up late in the regular season.
According to Redick, their participation went well.
“It has been nice. It’s been really nice. He definitely rebounded and passed in some shooting drills,” he said.
In Doncic and Reaves’ absences, James, who is 41 years old and the longest active player in the NBA, has orchestrated the offense for the Lakers. In Game 1, he had 19 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists.
The Lakers also got 27 points from Luke Kennard, who shot 5-of-5 from the 3-point line in Game 1.
Lakers-Rockets Game 2 tip-off
GettyLakers and Rockets clash for Game 2.
The Lakers and Rockets will face off again on Tuesday night for Game 2. The game will tip off at 10:30 p.m Eastern time in Los Angeles.
The Rockets are expected to come out strong in Game 2 as the possibility of a Kevin Durant return increases. A win by Houston would allow them to take home-court advantage and the momentum before the series goes to their home floor.
Meanwhile, a Lakers victory would not only buy more time for Doncic and Reaves to recover and return but also alleviate some pressure for them during their rehabilitation.
Lakers Coach JJ Redick Reveals Desperation Mode As Team Remains Without Doncic, Reaves vs Rockets in Game 2