Redick: Lakers must avoid turnovers in Christmas clash with Warriors

JJ Redick says avoiding turnovers has been the Los Angeles Lakers' main focus since their defeat to the Detroit Pistons, as they prepare to face the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day.

The Lakers saw their three-game losing streak halted by the Pistons on Monday, going down by a 117-114 scoreline as Malik Beasley scored 21 points and Cade Cunningham had 20.

Los Angeles turned the ball over 20 times in that game, compared to just 12 for the Pistons, and Redick has demanded they play with greater care against Golden State.

"We knew ahead of time that they were going to shock or blitz at times," Redick said of the loss to Detroit. "I'm not sure why we were so surprised by that.

"Then a number of them were playing in tight spaces, and a number of them were just dribbling the ball off a foot.

"Dribbling the ball out of bounds, passing to Malik Beasley so he can make a three... They capitalised every time we made a mistake.

"Certain turnovers are unforced. That's what you're getting at, the forced turnovers.

"I think it's about just not trying to play in tight spaces. Draw the crowd. Don't play in a crowd. We did a lot of playing in crowds today."

Monday's loss dropped the Lakers to 16-13, the seventh-best record in the Western Conference.

After their trip to San Francisco to face the Warriors, they have four straight home games against the Sacramento Kings, Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers and Atlanta Hawks.

Final pic.twitter.com/381ZCAMhZ8

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 24, 2024