The Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets in their last home game of the season, securing a playoff spot with 50 wins. The game, despite the Rockets' depleted roster, highlighted the Lakers' effective centerless basketball approach, particularly a five-man lineup led by Luka DonÄiÄ and LeBron James. Coach J.J. Redick has found this strategy successful, enabling greater spacing and offensive flexibility. The matchup showcased the contrasting styles of the Laker's small ball against Houston's larger lineup, emphasizing the tactical shifts that can reshape playoff dynamics.
In the previous matchup against a healthy Houston squad, the Lakers closed with this same five. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka spoke on the challenges of that unit. "It's obviously a spacing unit that shoots a lot of threes and the spacing is totally different, obviously, without Hayes in there." Udoka said before Friday's matchup.
Transitioning from Hayes' lob threat to Finney-Smith alters the floor's geometry. Every player in that unit must be defended out to the perimeter, enlarging the floor and making screen actions more complicated to send help from.
Still, it showcased the team's recent display of explosive offensive potential and complete acceptance of centerless basketball.
Head coach J.J. Redick has relied heavily on one centerless lineup in particular. The most frequently used five-man combination in the last ten games has been Luka DonÄiÄ, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Dorian Finney-Smith and Rui Hachimura.
Collection
[
|
...
]