Head Coach JJ Redick Discussion: Spazzing Out

I like JJ and think he did a lot of good things this season. I have a question about this game that I've seen other people reference elsewhere, but I haven't seen an answer to.

In the 4th Q, from about 6 minutes on, Rui had 9 pts & 2 rebs. He shot 3-4 including 2-2 from 3. JJ stuck with the lineup of Smart, Reaves, Rui, LeBron, and Hayes the entire rest of the way, until 12 seconds to go.

With 12 seconds left and the Lakers down by 3 but have the ball, why did JJ then pull Rui, the best playoff 3P% shooter in NBA playoff history, and put in Maxi Kleber who had played 0 minutes all game?

I understand that the play was for Austin, and Maxi screened for him, but Maxi was screening Shai far away from where the play ended up, which Rui could have done and then popped out if the play for Austin went bad, and then Rui would be there for the 3. I also would have just preferred the play be for a Rui 3, given his history, his shooting this series and this game esp in the 4th. Anyway, I can understand a play for Austin, but I don't understand Rui not being out there at all. Is there any good rationale for this, or was it just a terrible decision?

 

Haven't watched the game yet but that decision looks awful in isolation. If nothing else, Rui's gravity would justify him being on the court.
I'll watch it and comeback to confirm

 

Because Maxi is the best screener on the team by far and he screened for Reaves and got a completely open 3, it rimmed out. If it goes in, JJ is getting props.

Rui, for as good of a 3pt shooter as he is, isn't a movement shooter and doesn't have a quick release. At the end of the day, we got exactly the shot we wanted, it was a great look, it just didn't go down.