JJ Redick Praises LeBron James' Clutch 4th Quarter In Lakers' Victory Over Heat

The Los Angeles Lakers snapped a three-game losing streak with an impressive 117-108 comeback victory over the Miami Heat, fueled by a stellar fourth-quarter performance led by LeBron James. Head coach JJ Redick, speaking in the post-game press conference, broke down the team’s second-half adjustments, emphasizing their defensive effort and LeBron’s pivotal contributions.

When asked about the Lakers' turnaround in the second half, Redick explained: 

"There was nothing we changed schematically. I implored our team to talk more and play harder. And I thought we did that. There were stretches, don't get me wrong, there were stretches of the first half where we played hard and they made shots and all that. But, we talk about this all the time." 

"The NBA is very different than it was five years ago. It's much different than it was 10 years ago. The requirement to win a basketball game is enormous against anybody in this league. And it starts with playing hard and being connected and talking. And I thought we did a great job. And it's small stuff.'

"You know, Jaxson played 14 minutes. It was the best he's played since he got back from injury. And he was great with his talk. LeBron, AD, AR, those guys led tonight. All three of them were very vocal."

"We showed a really high level of resolve that we've had at times. We can point to games where we get down and teams are making shots. And I thought we created really good looks from the zone when they went to the zone in the second quarter." 

"They didn't go down. We trusted the process and we made shots in the second half. But it was really our defense that allowed us to get back into the game and ultimately win." 

Redick acknowledged that while the Lakers played hard in stretches during the first half, it wasn’t consistent enough. He credited the team’s ability to stay connected, particularly on defense, as the turning point. 

A key contributor to this defensive shift was Jaxson Hayes, who, despite playing limited minutes, was instrumental in setting the tone with his energy and communication. Redick also highlighted the leadership of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves, who were vocal on the court and helped rally the team.

LeBron James once again demonstrated his mastery of late-game situations, scoring seven consecutive points during a crucial stretch in the fourth quarter and finishing with 22 points and 9 assists. When asked about LeBron’s impact, Redick praised his ability to close games. 

"Yeah, I mean, you know, just his comfort level closing a basketball game is obviously very high and. They ended up going man finally, after that first bucket against the zone and they went man and you know, we got to his spots."

"One out of pick and roll, one out of that left post, but again, he scored and it was great, but we got stops and we were able to take that from 108-106 all the way up to whatever it end up being nine. So the defense was everything tonight." 

The Lakers showcased a balanced offensive attack, with six players scoring in double figures, including Rui Hachimura, who led the team with 23 points, and Anthony Davis, who posted a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Redick highlighted the team's ball movement, noting their 33 assists, which were instrumental in creating high-quality looks.

Austin Reaves, who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 14 assists, played a pivotal role in orchestrating the offense. Meanwhile, the bench provided timely contributions, with players like Max Christie and Gabe Vincent stepping up to support the starters.

This victory was a much-needed boost for the Lakers, who now hold a 21-17 record. Redick praised his team’s resilience and ability to execute under pressure, particularly in the fourth quarter. 

With momentum on their side, the Lakers aim to build on this performance as they prepare for upcoming matchups against the Brooklyn Nets and the Clippers. LeBron’s ability to lead in clutch moments, combined with improved defensive intensity, could prove vital as the team continues its push up the Western Conference standings.