JJ Redickthe mathematically inclined Lakers coach, knows the sample sizes are too small as the Lakers enter their third week of the season. However, 27th in anything is probably at least a little worrying.
Through six games, that’s where Redick’s team ranked in defensive efficiency, an amazing statistic considering his team is anchored by one of the NBA’s top defensive players in Anthony Davis.
“I think we can be a really good defensive team,” JJ Redick said before Monday’s game against the Detroit Pistons. “I’m sure when we get a bigger sample size we won’t be 27th in the league.”
After the first half of game seven, it was arguably worse.
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Forget that the Pistons only won twice this season, that they were stuck in the mud during a rebuild with no real end in sight. Forget that they played in Brooklyn the day before while the Lakers were enjoying time off after their win in Toronto.
From the moment Monday’s game began, the Lakers’ biggest problems — those on the defensive end — were the biggest problems on the court.
The Lakers lost 115-103 to the Pistons, their first loss in Detroit since 2021, after allowing 67 first-half points and failing to slow down their opponent in nearly every aspect of the game.
Davis led the Lakers (4-3) with 37 points and nine rebounds. LeBron James added 20 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists. But the Lakers’ bench was outscored 27-10.
The Pistons were stronger on the glass. They were quicker in transition. They were more aggressive to the basket. And even though they were ice cold, they were more willing to make three-point shots.
The early problems were severe enough to force the Lakers into an uphill climb for almost the entirety of the game, a climb they were unable to make.
Redick tightened up his rotation in the second half. Cam Reddish replaced Max Christie, and rookie Dalton Knecht did not play after the second quarter.
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The Pistons (3-5) finished with 11 more shots, 18 more rebounds, nine more second-chance points and six more points in the paint.
The loss to Detroit ensured that the Lakers would have a five-game losing streak.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
