The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into a first-round playoff matchup with the Houston Rockets knowing exactly whats at stake, and according to head coach JJ Redick, the formula for success couldnt be clearer.Taking care of the basketball and boxing out. Thats the series, Redick said after practice. Scheme, personnel, obviously important. But if we dont take care of the ball and dont box out, were not gonna win the series. Theyre number four in scoring opportunities, we were number 23. We dont have the luxury with Luka and AR out of getting killed in scoring opportunities every single game. We gotta box out. Were gonna place an emphasis on every drill in practice.We started practice with boxing out today. You gotta put it in their minds. That was literally the only thing we said about Houston today. Today was about us and having a practice and getting sharp with our stuff. Tomorrow well introduce personnel, Thursday well do our scout like we would, Friday will be a reinforcement of that scout and Saturday well be good to go. The only thing we did today was box out and take care of the ball.Redick has already acknowledged the challenge Houston presents, making it clear this wont be a straightforward matchup.Houstons obviously a really good basketball team and were gonna prepare and were gonna fight and were gonna go try to win the series, Redick said. Going into today we told the team like it was; its not about the opponent, its about us. And now it is about the opponent. Were gonna do everything we can to get our guys in a great frame of mind, great physical shape over the next four or five days and be ready to play.Related Article: Cooper Flagg Breakout Rookie Campaign Ends in InjuryREAD MORE: Stephen Curry Limited in Do-or-Die Clash With Clippers
