JJ Redick Pinpoints Swing Factor In Lakers Win Over Suns

The Los Angeles Lakers secured a hard-fought win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, Dec. 14. The game came down to the wire, with LeBron James and Marcus Smart closing it out from the free-throw line.

During his postgame news conference, head coach JJ Redick credited his team’s bench unit’s contribution in the win.

“One of the biggest factors to the game was the bench play, particularly in the second half,” Redick said. “Those guys helped get us the lead. They helped extend the lead. They just did it, and that was the start of the second, start of the fourth with LeBron. Guys were cheering for each other.”

Redick continued.

“I mean, it was, it’s going to sound sick, but love winning games like this. Wish it had not been a one-possession game, not been down with 12 seconds, like all that stuff. But, you know, winning ugly is actually really fun because it means you got in the trenches and you fought, and we did that tonight.” 

The win over Phoenix means the Lakers have now won 18 of their 25 games so far this season. Furthermore, it proved they can win a gritty contest where things get chippy. However, the team’s defensive issues were still on display throughout the night.

Deandre Ayton Credits Lakers’ Bench Group

During his own postgame news conference, Lakers big man Deandre Ayton credited Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia for their production within the second unit.

“Yeah, it definitely made our job of playing with grit more contagious,” Ayton said. “Hats off to Jay Vando for coming off the bench and just getting straight to it. I think he got an offensive rebound dunk right away. And once I saw that, just having both of us crash, you know, the big on the opponent’s team, they really had their hands full, with two of us crashing in.”

Ayton continued.

“You know, the numbers say it themselves how we were. How we out-rebounded them and how many offensive boards we had. And Jake just being that pit bull for us, and people thinking he’s the underdog or the duck. You know, and trying to attack him, and he holds his own.”

LeBron James Credits Team’s Effort In Practice

When speaking to the media on the sidelines after the game, LeBron James credited the Lakers’ recent practice work. He noted how those sessions had put the team in the right mindset heading into the game against Phoenix.

“I think the last two days in practice put us in the right mindset of being physical,” James said. “Obviously, that fourth quarter allowed them to get back into the game, because we put them to the line…I thought for the majority of our game, the physicality was good.”

It’s clear the Lakers are still a work in progress. However, with the amount of offensive talent at the team’s disposal, it’s hard to ever rule them out of a game. As we saw on Sunday, the Lakers have multiple ways of securing a win, and that’s why they’re among the better teams in the Western Conference this season.

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