Lakers (40-21) at Celtics (45-18) Game #64 3/8/25

[radiohead]

Wow, we?re just exposing Luka?s defense (or lack of it).

[Phantom255x]

10-2 run!

[ozgod]

Time to kick them to the curb

[SCeltic34]

Nice execution by the C's.  Al is disrupting things down low.

[Phantom255x]

PAPA AL DELIVERS!

[Indocelts]

Literally just keep attacking Luka and Reaves

And put Brown on Luka, no stupid double team.

[Silas]

Nice pass from JT.

[SparzWizard]

This is the issue with the Lakers. When you have both Luka and Reaves out there who are absolutely traffic cones defensively, that's just not a sustainable defensive strategy in the playoffs.

I sure hope other teams (esp Western Conference teams) are watching this game tonight to gameplan for the Lakers and witness what works: Double up Luka and harrass Luka.

[BringToughnessBack]

It is like watching Dallas vs us in finals again. Winded great Lakers defense letting up tons of points just like Mavericks did. Dejavu.

[blink]

Vanderbilt is really handsy and fouls a lot.   

[jpotter33]

Lakers fans are seeing first hand what a huge defensive liability Luka is, and what they're going to have to compensate for in the playoffs.

Oh, just like Mavs stans, they'll still find ways to try and say he's a competent defender.

As elite of an offensive player as he is, he loses a ton of that value on the other end given how much he gives up. Doesn't matter if you generate 50+ points a night if you give up at least half of that on the other end with easy isolation opportunities due to not being able to defend. And it's not like it's going to get better either. The older he gets and the more injuries he sustains, his lateral ability is only going to get worse.

[BringToughnessBack]

This is the issue with the Lakers. When you have both Luka and Reaves out there who are absolutely traffic cones defensively, that's just not a sustainable defensive strategy in the playoffs.

I sure hope other teams (esp Western Conference teams) are watching this game tonight to gameplan for the Lakers and witness what works: Double up Luka and harrass Luka.

Absolutely. We have the right game plan vs Luka and mates.

[Phantom255x]

Do not let up! Get this lead to 20+

[blink]

PAPA AL DELIVERS!

Al quietly having a really good game.

[SCeltic34]

This is the issue with the Lakers. When you have both Luka and Reaves out there who are absolutely traffic cones defensively, that's just not a sustainable defensive strategy in the playoffs.

Which is why it's remarkable that the Lakers have been the best defensive team since mid-January.  Obviously that doesn't account for much time with Luka, but still.  Gotta give JJ Redick credit for that.

The problem for the Lakers is that they won't sustain that level of defense when they play a quality opponent with a good plan.  OKC would shred the Lakers.