Lakers refusing to quit down 3-0 heading into Game 4 vs. Thunder

In their darkest playoff hour, Lakers coach JJ Redick suggested his gamers throughout follow Sunday to take the identical psychological strategy for the win-or-go-home Game 4 that they’ve used for the reason that first day of coaching camp.

The Lakers trail the Oklahoma City Thunder 3-0 within the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal sequence. The Lakers should beat the Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on Monday evening or their season is over.

“Our first slide that we put up in training camp was [to] win the day,” Redick said. “Today was a quick offensive review and then just going over some stuff defensively. Got to win today and we got to win tomorrow. We know what we’re facing being down 3-0. So it’s just more of a mindset check than anything else.”

No NBA staff has ever come again to win a sequence when trailing 3-0, with these groups holding a 161-0 file.

Those are the lengthy odds the Lakers face.

Redick was requested what his staff’s temper was like at follow.

“These guys are good,” he stated.

Redick then was requested what his squad has proven him that provides him hope the Lakers can nonetheless win.

“Affirmation,” I responded.

Even after dropping three video games by a median of 19.6 factors per recreation, the Lakers nonetheless cling to some hope.

Rui Hachimura has been on what Redick referred to as a “heater” from three-point vary. He has made 57.1% of his threes and has shot 54.1% from the ground within the sequence, averaging 18.3 factors per recreation.

Hachimura thought again to the Lakers’ first-round sequence in opposition to the Houston Rockets and the way that they had a commanding 3-0 lead. But the Rockets fought again to make the sequence 3-2 earlier than the Lakers closed out the sequence.

“It’s crazy, but I think that’s the mentality we need,” Hachimura stated. “I think it’s one at a time. I think especially with this type of team, you can’t really make mistakes. … We have to keep the same energy the whole game. That’s the only way we can win. So, we know what we do.”

What they want to do is play higher within the third quarter. The Lakers have been outscored 92-61 within the third quarter by the Thunder.

“I feel like every game we’re getting closer,” Hachimura stated. “Especially final evening…apparently we had the perfect offensive recreation of the sequence, even the playoffs. I believe we had actually beauty, nice appears to be like. But I believe defensively we, particularly within the third quarter, we form of slowed down. I do not know [if] we obtained burned out or we obtained drained, no matter.

“So, I think our focus is like how we play in the first half we have to do in the whole game. … That’s going to be our goal.”

The Lakers have managed to gradual down Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander by having Marcus Smart guard him and placing fixed double groups on the reigning NBA most respected participant.

Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 21.0 factors per recreation within the sequence, far beneath the 31.1 factors he averaged in the course of the common season. He’s averaging 5.7 assists per recreation, which is beneath his 6.6 in the course of the common season, and he is taking pictures 45.8%, which is beneath his 55.3% for the season. He’s averaging 4 turnovers within the sequence as properly.

But Chet Holmgren, who’s averaging a double-double within the sequence at 21.3 factors per recreation and 10.0 rebounds, has been a handful for the Lakers. Ajay Mitchell is averaging 20.7 factors per recreation and 6.6 assists.

That’s why the Lakers are on the verge of seeing their season finish. The Lakers have confronted adversity all season, however Game 4 would be the final take a look at.

“Being on the Lakers, you feel like your back’s against the wall every game,” Redick stated. “So I think the whole season has prepared us to be in a position where we’re in the second round of the Western Conference and being in the mix with a great basketball team.”