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Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick reflected on a chaotic 112-108 overtime win over the Houston Rockets on Friday night at Toyota Center in Houston. The result gave Los Angeles a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.
Redick described the late-game sequence as highly unusual, referencing the final moments of regulation where the Lakers erased a six-point deficit with under 30 seconds remaining.
He credited both LeBron James and Marcus Smart for key plays that shifted momentum late in the game. Redick emphasized composure under pressure in a hostile playoff environment.
“Both those guys made big-time plays,” he said. “We weathered a lot tonight. We weathered a lot of turnovers. I thought our defense was fantastic.”
Redick pointed to the importance of execution in critical possessions, especially as Houston pushed physical pressure late in regulation and overtime.
“In that moment, just to have the poise to keep playing, Smart made a huge play to get us into a one-possession game,” Redick said.
The Lakers coach also detailed a tactical adjustment involving a late trap that led to a decisive defensive sequence.
“Rui and Bron did a good job of just putting pressure on Sheppard and obviously makes the steal and Bron hits a big time shot,” he said.
When asked about the emotional swings during the game, Redick kept his focus on simplicity from the sideline.
“Next play, next play,” he said.
He acknowledged imperfections in his own coaching decisions during the game, including timeouts and substitutions he would reconsider.
“There’s a lot of things that happened tonight that were not perfect, including some stuff I did,” Redick said. “You just got to get on to the next play.”
Redick also stressed that mistakes were part of the team’s collective performance in a tightly contested playoff setting.
“We probably made more mistakes tonight as a group, not just the players, myself included,” he said.
Despite the errors, he highlighted the importance of defensive effort and situational awareness down the stretch against a disciplined Houston squad.
“It’s tough to win on the road in the playoffs,” Redick said. “Even without KD, they’re a great basketball team and that was a huge test for us.”
Marcus Smart’s impact extended beyond defense, with Redick calling him a “winner” who consistently delivers in key moments.
“He makes winning plays,” Redick said. “The steal was huge.”
Redick also noted the Lakers’ emphasis on rebounding in overtime, where second-chance possessions proved decisive in maintaining control.
As the series shifts toward a potential sweep in Game 4, Redick reiterated that urgency must remain constant without overcomplicating the moment.
“The sense of urgency has got to be there,” he said. “But it’s no more pressure than any other game.”
For Redick and the Lakers, the message remains centered on execution, poise, and immediate response to each possession in a tightly contested playoff battle.
