Lakers Coach JJ Redick EXPOSES Shocking Truth: Officials ADMIT to 3 Costly Mistakes in Blazers Loss!

PORTLAND, Ore. — Following a significant 132-116 defeat against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart emphasized the importance of focusing on defense from the very beginning of the game. This sentiment echoed his earlier remarks after a blowout loss to the Charlotte Hornets, where he remarked, “Just got to start fouling. As I was saying, they can’t call them all. And the toughest team sets the rules. So we just got to come out. We just got to be aggressive, whether they call it or not.”

However, the Lakers' defensive strategy faced a harsh reality in Portland. The Trail Blazers shot a staggering 22 free throws during the first quarter alone, marking the highest number of free throw attempts by any team in a single quarter this season. According to ESPN Insights, this was also the most free throws taken in a first quarter since 2011.

After the game, Lakers coach JJ Redick relayed that the officiating crew admitted to making mistakes early on. “They got off to a bad start tonight and they admitted that to me,” Redick said. He noted the inconsistency in calls throughout the game, stating, “Couldn’t get great communication from (crew chief) Pat (Fraher) all night, which we’ll put in the coach’s feedback.” Redick, who received a technical foul during the game, pointed out that the inconsistent officiating is not an isolated incident, suggesting that many coaches in the league would agree. “For whatever reason, and you’d have to ask probably the other 29 coaches, it feels like the inconsistency night to night within a game has been there for most of these crews,” he added.

The Lakers' defensive woes were evident as they allowed a total of 34 free throw attempts to the Trail Blazers, marking the sixth time this season that they have conceded at least 30 attempts from the free throw line. This trend raises questions about the Lakers' defensive strategy, especially considering they are currently ranked second in the league for free throws attempted and allow the seventh fewest per game.

Lakers superstar LeBron James, who was called for a flagrant foul during the game, commented on the unpredictability of officiating, saying, “Every night is different.” This unpredictability has become a notable concern among players and coaches alike as they navigate the complexities of game officiating.

In addition to their defensive struggles, the Lakers were without key players on Saturday, including Luka Dončić, Deandre Ayton, and Jaxson Hayes, all of whom are considered “day-to-day,” as noted by Redick. Compounding the team’s challenges, Austin Reaves remained sidelined for the 11th consecutive game due to a calf injury.

As the Lakers grapple with their defensive strategy and personnel issues, the need for improved communication and consistency on the court and with officiating becomes increasingly urgent. As teams continue to adapt and evolve throughout the season, the Lakers will need to find ways to regain their footing and assert their defensive presence if they hope to remain competitive in the league.