Through seven games of the 2018-19 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers are playing at the fifth-fastest pace in the entire league.
While this is how head coach Luke Walton wants to play, the Lakers have struggled to close out possessions when they are not fouling. Along with being tied for 16th in rebounding per game (45.3), the Lakers are giving up the fifth-most offensive rebounds per game (12.6).
After giving up 20 offensive rebounds to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Walton stressed a collective effort is required to help rebound if the team is to succeed. “It just needs all five guys to do it every time,” Walton explained after Tuesday’s practice.