The LA Lakers took on the task of pinning down the Denver Nuggets on Feb.22. And to say, they did it really well, will be an understatement. Precisely enough, the defensive wall that JJ Redick built to stop Nikola Jokic & Co worked wonderfully. In reality, even the Nuggets stars had to admit that the Lakers HC’s plan was nothing less than perfection. Against the 2023 NBA champs, the Boston Celtics have a different strategy. And given how fearlessly honest Joe Mazzulla is with his thoughts, he might have slightly disregarded JJ’s plan.

Sunday at TD Garden promises a blockbuster, with the Celtics aiming to hand Michael Malone and his boys a loss. But before the game, the C’s head coach Joe Mazzulla spoke to the media. The reports asked him about JJ Redick’s defensive game plan for the Lakers against the Nuggets last week.

“I don’t think there’s a right answer. I think that was a good game plan, and they did a great job of doing that,” the 36-year-old HC responded. “And so you use that as information, what works and what doesn’t work, but you know, that was a great job by them in that game. I don’t think there’s one way to guard them. And so, you have to be ready to go to different stuff. But definitely give you some information.”

Joe Mazzulla called it a great game plan, well-executed by the Lakers under their rookie head coach. But admitted there are no real answers to Nikola Jokic. Speaking of the Serbian superstar, he also expressed his thoughts on JJ Redick’s strategy against them. Well, it’s safe to say, that the 40-year-old Redick is doing a brilliant job defensively. You could blame it on his competitive nature that LA’s star coach hates giving up.

Nikola Jokic opened up about JJ Redick’s defensive game plan

The Purple and Gold’s defensive power turned the table for them, leaving Michael Malone and his boys scratching their heads. February 22 could be marked as a day when JJ Redick‘s mastermind peaked. The Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray couldn’t resist but say that they couldn’t stop the Lakers from overpowering them. “Just a pile-up of things that didn’t go our way tonight, and we didn’t adjust, which is another big thing. We didn’t adjust, or have any diversity,” Murray explained.

Meanwhile, following their win vs. the Pacers on Feb. 24, Nikola Jokic had to take his moment to recall the mastery JJ Redick portrayed against them. “Where they really were jumping us, playing passing lanes,” the Joker said. Moreover, the Lakers’ game against the Nuggets was more than just a matchup—it was personal. After eight straight losses over two seasons, including five brutal playoff defeats in Denver, JJ Redick & Co. were desperate for payback.

JJ Redick’s master plan shook the Nuggets to their core, and even Nikola Jokic had to tip his hat. The Lakers finally got their revenge, breaking an eight-game curse with fierce defense and sharp adjustments. But as the Celtics gear up to face the reigning champs, Joe Mazzulla isn’t copying anyone’s homework. Instead, he’s betting on adaptability: because when it comes to Nikola Jokic, no one game plan is ever enough.