Before the Los Angeles Lakers were defeated by the Detroit Pistons with a 22-point gap on Tuesday, head coach JJ Redick had anticipated the outcome. He warned prior to the game that the Pistons would likely foul three to four times on nearly every possession. After the Lakers’ 128-106 loss, Redick’s prediction was confirmed, as he expressed frustration over the referees allowing multiple fouls by Detroit to go uncalled, which affected the Lakers’ performance.
Redick stated, “I think there’s probably some level of frustration when you feel like you’re turning the ball over and you’re getting fouled. There’s definitely some frustration there. But again, I said it here and I said it this morning. They’re going to foul every possession. We just have to play through it.”
Lakers star Luka Doncic shared similar views, noting that the referees allowed a very physical style of play during the game. Although Doncic didn’t complain about being fouled, he emphasized the need for the Lakers to match the Pistons’ physicality since the referees weren’t penalizing those fouls.
“We definitely have to match their physicality,” Doncic said. “That’s the important thing. We have to match their play. We certainly have to play physical because we saw the referee allow it.”
Doncic led the Lakers with 30 points but also had eight turnovers. The game featured a total of 50 fouls, split fairly evenly with the Pistons called for 26 fouls and the Lakers for 24. The match was tense, marked by one flagrant foul and one technical foul against Detroit, while the Lakers received two technical fouls.
LeBron James, who turned 41 on game day, chose not to comment on the referees’ decisions, stating, “It’s not my line to talk about how the game was or was not refereed.” He scored 17 points. The Lakers now hold a 20-11 record for the season and remain in playoff contention, though their recent form is worrying—they have lost four of their last five games. Redick criticized the team’s defense during this period.
Looking ahead, the Lakers face three upcoming games against the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans, both teams with losing records, including the struggling Pelicans with the NBA’s worst mark. These contests may offer the Lakers a chance to regain momentum before they meet the rising San Antonio Spurs on January 7th.
Fan Take: This game highlights the importance of adapting to physical play and officiating trends, which can significantly influence outcomes. For basketball fans, it’s a reminder that teams must stay resilient and versatile to navigate the challenges of a tough season and maintain playoff hopes.
