Clippers look to improve defense

It was a hard way to learn a lesson, guard J.J. Redick said at practice Wednesday, but the Clippers’ loss to the Lakers on Tuesday night might end up being beneficial.

Redick said the Clippers will learn only if they get back to their defensive principles and apply them the right way.

“You obviously have to learn from your mistakes,” Redick said. “Last night could be a good thing for us if we respond the right way. And the response has got to be to learn from our mistakes and own up to them and then get better.”

The Clippers gave up 116 points to the Lakers in both teams’ season-opener at Staples Center. The Clippers’ three-point defense got ripped, allowing the Lakers to make 48.3% of their three-pointers, 75% (six-for-eight) in a decisive fourth quarter in which the Clippers gave up 41 points.

Now the Clippers will see their three-point defense tested by the Golden State Warriors in L.A.’s home season opener at Staples Center on Thursday night and in Doc Rivers’ regular-season home debut as the team’s new coach.

The Warriors led the NBA in three-point accuracy last season, making 40.3% of their shots.

Redick talked about how the Clippers need to close out on three-point shooters and for the guards to play better on-ball defense, gamble less and slow down penetration.

He talked about rotating better, helping on defense, talking on defense, running three-point shooters off shots and forcing them into contested two-point shots.

“The biggest thing is just staying discipline to our concepts defensively,” Redick said. “Obviously we had a lot of breakdowns. We gave up a lot of points last night.”

ALSO:

Lakers’ bench fuels 116-103 victory over Clippers

Lakers rain on Clippers’ parade in season opener

Clippers lose battle for offensive rebounds to Lakers