JJ Redick. Image via: David Berding/Getty Images
JJ Redick picked up his first technical foul of the season in the Lakers’ 131-125 win over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, and a fine follows under league rules. The Lakers coach was whistled with 6:27 left in the fourth quarter after he argued a no-call on a Luka Doncic drive. Doncic had just finished a reverse layup to make it 111-100, and Scottie Barnes appeared to foul him on the play. Los Angeles improved to 5-2. League rules set a $2,000 fine for each of a coach’s first five technical fouls, and this was Redick’s first of the year. The limit is 15 technicals, and the 16th brings a $5,000 fine plus a one-game ban.
Yes, according to Athlon Sports and the amount is small. Redick then used the postgame news conference to accuse Toronto of grabbing and holding all night. A suspension is far off.
The Lakers star still dominated, finishing with 45 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals. He hit eight of 12 threes. No NBA player had ever posted 45 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, five steals and five made threes in one game. The Lakers turned it over 24 times, and he pinned many of them on contact the officials ignored. The Raptors lead the league in forcing turnovers and in personal fouls, at 28.2 per game, seven more than last season. They were called for 26 on Sunday, which sent the Lakers to the line 32 times. Los Angeles made 27. Even so, Toronto cut a 26-point deficit to 125-120 before the Lakers put it away. Third-stringers came in with 1:43 left, and the Lakers did not protect the ball.
“Some of those turnovers are because we’re like legitimately getting fouled,” he said. He said he will not make that substitution again and will keep his players in through the final buzzer. The call came after Luka Doncic attacked the rim, scored and saw no whistle. Redick complained, and the official answered with the technical. Redick’s frustration went beyond one call. His example was a defender who picks up the ball handler, grabs the arm that is not dribbling and swipes at the ball. Toronto’s numbers fit part of his case, though a coach’s view of missed fouls is hard to prove. Redick also blamed himself for the tight finish.