JJ Redick Says Lakers Will Use Luka Doncic's WCF Experience to Prepare for T-Wolves

Luka Dončić will be in a familiar situation when he and the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs.

Dončić helped lead the Dallas Mavericks past the Wolves in five games in the West Conference Finals a year ago, leading to a trip to the NBA Finals. Lakers head coach J.J. Redick said he'll look to Dončić for advice against Minnesota.

"There are nuances to what teams are trying to do against certain opponents," Redick said, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

Dončić dominated the Timberwolves in last year's Western Conference Finals, putting up 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game in the five-game series. He capped off the series with a 36-point outing in Game 5.

Along with Dončić, the Lakers have another member of the team with experience facing the Timberwolves. Assistant coach Greg St. Jean was a member of the Phoenix Suns coaching staff a year ago when Minnesota beat them in four games in the first round, meaning Los Angeles has two different perspectives heading into the series.

While Minnesota brings back a similar roster, there are a few new faces. The biggest change is that the Timberwolves now have Julius Randle in the paint rather than Karl-Anthony Towns. Minnesota also added some talent off the bench in the Towns trade in Donte DiVincenzo.

Even with the changes, Los Angeles has what it takes to get out of the first round.

The Lakers have been one of the best teams in the NBA since the addition of Dončić, climbing all the way to No. 3 in the West by the end of the season. Dončić couldn't get his first championship a year ago with Dallas, but now he's on another team more than capable of winning a title.

The title run starts against a familiar opponent next week.