Averaged 46 points and 8.5 assists per game! Doncic’s offense guarantees the Lakers’ lower limit, but team defense determines the Lakers’ upper limit?

With 49 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists, Doncic used his superb performance to help the Wu Zhan Lakers defeat the Timberwolves.

In the first round of this year's playoffs, the Lakers were eliminated by the Timberwolves 1-4. This victory is of great significance to the Lakers. Without Lao James, they defeated a Western Conference Finals-level opponent, and Doncic defeated everyone with a desperate attack.

The Lakers' winning password is defense: Van Der Biao has 2 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks, with a plus-minus value of +17; Smart has 3 points, 1 assist, and 2 steals, with a plus-minus value of +24. The two defensive leaders changed the trend of the game in the transitional period. Unlike fans and friends who expected to "be unable to make ends meet," the Lakers' defense actually stood firm starting from the second quarter!

This battle also pointed out the direction for the Lakers' subsequent games this season. With Doncic in the starting offense and Xiaoli in the transitional offense, they never worry about ball-handling development and fixed-point three-point opportunities. If they defend well, they will have a chance to win.

The Lakers' single defense in multiple positions is limited by inherent deficiencies in their lineup configuration. They rely heavily on regional defensive rotations. When the entire Lakers team can play a phenomenal defensive rotation rate, coupled with Doncic's offensive firepower, miracles will happen naturally.

The whole team worked hard on defense, provided Dongcic with bodyguards, and left Doncic to play freely on offense. The Lakers finally found the right idea to win.

With James absent, the Lakers continue to start with three guards. There is no other solution: The problem Redick faces is whether the starting lineup needs better space or better defense?

With Doncic, Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Ayton locking the four starting positions, the fifth card is particularly important.

Vincent, Knecht, and Laravia all have three-point capabilities and can provide space attributes. Smart and Van Der Biao are better defenders, but their three-pointers are left open by their opponents. Since the starting lineup has traditional insider Ayton, if the Lakers directly use the combination of Ayton + Smart/Vander Biao at the beginning, it will be very difficult for the opponent to double-team Doncic. Doncic will start the pick-and-roll with the ball very uncomfortable.

In other words, in order to make Doncic's opening game more comfortable, the Lakers chose a starting lineup with better space to grab the start. Although Vincent is relatively short at 188 centimeters, he has played in the Eastern Conference Finals with the Heat in 2022 and the Finals in 2023. His overall shooting, ball-handling ability, and game experience are better than those of Knecht and Laravia.

Vincent + Reeves + Doncic represent the Lakers' best outside offense, space, shooting, ball handling and experience. The Lakers would rather sacrifice a point of defense to play a smoother offense.

After all, the Lakers' overall defensive configuration is not very good. A better offensive start can increase the fault tolerance rate during the game.

The Lakers have Doncic on offense, and the difficulty of the game is undoubtedly defense.

The Lakers' regular one-on-one defense was not ideal. The team scored 36 points in the first quarter, but lost 40 points.

Doncic has been sent by Redick to defend 3D McDaniels, who has relatively few ball-handling offensive scenes. However, the Timberwolves continued their play style in the first round of this year's playoffs: McDaniels counterattacked and held the ball to attack Doncic. There were positional battles and single mid-range shots with the ball. As long as it was an offensive round against Doncic, McDaniels perfectly executed the Timberwolves' game plan, impacting and consuming Doncic.

No one of the Lakers' three defenders can defend Huazi alone, and they even need to attack in advance to force the ball. Vincent, Doncic, and Ayton were all used as cash machines in the first quarter against Huazi. Huazi made 6 of 9 in a single quarter and contributed 14 points and 3 assists. The hard solution at this point continued the style of the two teams in the first round of this year's playoffs. It can be said that a child is killed with one knife.

The Lakers defensive team came on stage in the transition period. Smart had a plus-minus value of +14 in a single quarter. His defense against Huazi almost single-handedly changed the trend of the game. Redick also found the password to win: Smart/Van Der Biao are the main defenders, Doncic/Reeves are responsible for throwing. There must always be a defensive lock on the field, with bodyguards for Doncic.

The Lakers started a regional defensive rotation from the second quarter, flanking Huazi/Randall, who have clear matchup advantages, and tried their best to cover open three-pointers in rotation. In other words, betting on the Timberwolves' three-point draw will prevent the Timberwolves from easily entering the three-second zone.

The Timberwolves made 7 of 14 three-pointers in the first quarter, and only 5 of 17 three-pointers in the second and third quarters combined. The Lakers finally won the bet.

Dongcic was smoking. The Timberwolves were unable to restrict Dongcic, and Dongcic successfully activated others.

The Timberwolves initially used the strategy of Gobert retreating and McDaniels to avoid the pick-and-roll between Doncic and Ayton. Doncic scored 32 points in the half, but only had 2 assists - that is, the Timberwolves did not let Doncic drive his teammates, betting on his singles touch.

In the second half, the Timberwolves began to attack Doncic aggressively. Doncic provided 5 assists in a single quarter and successfully activated Ayton. The Timberwolves put Gobert on the court and couldn't guard against Doncic's pick-and-roll. No matter whether Shen retreated or double-teamed, it didn't work. Coach Finch also tried a small lineup with Reed/Randall at the 5th position.

Doncic has always been the foundation of the Lakers' offense. His incredible personal touch led the Lakers to launch a phenomenal offense that attracted everyone, and he overwhelmed the Timberwolves with a wave of indiscriminate bombing.

Doncic is in great shape after losing weight and training hard this summer. The Lakers should not waste his peak period.

The Lakers' offense is not bad. The basic base is undoubtedly Doncic, the super ball-handling core. Reeves, Vincent, Hachimura, Knecht, and Laravia are all capable of fixed-point three-pointers. Reeves/LeBron James can be used as secondary attackers with the ball, and Doncic, LeBron James, and Reeves all have the ability to instigate the ball. In theory, with three ball-handlers and Jigsaw players, the Lakers' offensive ceiling is not low..

But we all know that the Lakers' biggest problem is defense, which also determines the gap between them and the real championship teams. Their first-round exit in this year's playoffs is an obvious example.

Unlike the Thunder, Rockets, and Clippers, the Lakers do not have many defensive talents. Both Doncic and Xiaoli are two ball-holding guards who are not good at defense. James, who is over 40 years old, is unable to defend part of the time, and the inside reserve only has Ayton, Hayes, and Kroc. This lineup configuration has led to the Lakers' starting backcourt and inside defense under great pressure in high-end games.

Referring to the lineup of the Mavericks that will reach the finals in 2024, Doncic is paired with a secondary attacker Irving. Positions 3, 4, and 5 are Washington, Jones Jr., Gafford/Lively respectively. The starting lineup directly equipped Doncic with three muscular defensive bodyguards, leading to the finals.

Doncic's current state is enough to be the top offensive engine of the championship team. His scoring ability is as simple as eating and drinking. The five-man lineup on the field requires at most one more ball-handling secondary attacker.

Doncic is enough to absorb a large amount of ball rights. He only needs 3D helpers to help wipe his butt on the defensive end. Doncic's offense + at least three teammates' defense can stand up with the three-point ability to open up space. This formula lineup also points the way for the Lakers to build a team around Doncic in the future. Just copy the Mavericks' 2024 homework.