Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick challenged his players to improve defensively at halftime of Monday’s 138-117 win vs. the Miami Heat at Crypto.com Arena.

The Lakers entered the break ahead 79-72, then held the Heat to 45 second-half points while scoring 59 themselves. Los Angeles improved to 6-2 after extending its seven-point halftime advantage into a 21-point victory.

Redick addressed that defensive response after the game, stressing that the Lakers cannot rely exclusively on their scoring.

LoJo Media shared his comments early Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter, alongside a photo from his postgame press conference.

JJ Redick on the team's defense: "We know we have to keep getting better there. You have to be able to win games with your defense and not just with your offense. We challenged guys at halftime." #Lakeshow pic.twitter.com/uqq4yRuMXO

— LoJo Media (@LoJoMedia) November 3, 2026

Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 42 points, 13 assists, and seven rebounds, recording his fifth consecutive game with at least 37 points. Austin Reaves contributed 27 points, while Walker Kessler finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Doncic and Reaves combined for 69 points, accounting for exactly half of the Lakers’ scoring output vs. the Heat Monday.

Giannis Antetokounmpo paced the Heat with 30 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. The Heat fell to 2-5 during his debut season with the franchise.

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Both teams scored freely in the first half, with the Lakers’ 79 points tying the most Miami has allowed before halftime in franchise history. The purple and gold still entered the break with just a seven-point lead after allowing 72 points.

Los Angeles was able to create more separation after the break, increasing their lead to as many as 24 points. Their second-half scoring margin of 14 points accounted for most of the final difference.

The Lakers responded to Redick’s halftime challenge by limiting the Heat to 45 second-half points, pulling away for their sixth win of the season.