The Los Angeles Lakers moved to 13-0 in clutch games with their 111-103 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night, and LeBron James admits that his team ups their communication defensively late in games. LA’s defense has been a problem this season, but not in clutch situations. The Lakers' 88.9 defensive rating is the best in the NBA, and this change would appear to explain why.
They need more defensive talent, but the franchise keeps proving they can lock in when necessary. New Orleans scored just 17 fourth-quarter points on Tuesday night, and seven of those came in the final 75 seconds when the game was all but decided.
LeBron was asked about what makes Los Angeles’ defense different in late-game situations during his walk-off interview, and his answer underscores a larger problem with a simple solution for the Lakers.
LeBron James says Lakers' communication picks up in clutch situations
James made it clear what spurred the win in New Orleans and has helped his team in situations where the game is on the line. Read the quote below.
“You have to be communicating throughout the whole possession. You can make up for mistakes when you’re communicating, and things break down. I thought we did a good job of helping each other in the fourth quarter. Obviously, Trey Murphy is a hell of a player. He was able to get loose a couple of times, but for the majority, we would have bodies on bodies, and we were able to clean glass in the second half.”
King James boiled it down to communication, helping each other, and getting rebounds. Whatever the Lakers are doing, it is working. Every other NBA team has lost at least four clutch games already, and no team can match LA’s 39.1 net rating when the score is within five points in the final five minutes.
This roster is built for clutch success. Luka Doncic is one of the best late-game scorers in the world. No moment is too big for number 77. Lakers fans have already seen him drilling clutch shots and lifting his team. LeBron always makes the right play in the biggest moments. They are also using the two-man game between the two stars more late in close games, which makes Los Angeles all but unstoppable.
The Lakers must play defense for four quarters as they do in the clutch to win the biggest games. For the season, LA sits 26th in defensive rating. They are giving up way too many easy baskets, but all that changes when things are on the line. It shows the Lakers can succeed defensively. They must lock in, communicate, and compete for the entire game.
LeBron James will lead the defense in the playoffs. The 41-year-old has been fantastic lately, and head coach JJ Redick is getting the best out of him. Expect King James to pick up the communication, and the results will follow for LA.
The Los Angeles Lakers have won three straight and look like a serious threat in the loaded Western Conference. There will be plenty of clutch games in the playoffs, and the Lakers are the best team in the NBA in those moments. LeBron James let fans know why. Expect it to continue, and it is a sign that the Lakers are better than anyone is giving them credit for.