My experience:
Judge's law clerk/technical advisor reads plaiintiff's submission handed to him by court clerk------------> discussed with judge
with recommendation for disposition, one way or another----------> judge reads the plaintiff's paper, decides to dispose of now or wait for defendant's response.
The setting of a time for response is normally a clerical matter handled by the court clerk administratively.
A quick motion by defendant, or letter to judge, to the effect there is nothing new in plaintiff's submission 1)requiring a response by defendant, or 2) that the judge has not already fully considered in previous rulings, could facilitate the process. Court's local rules could govern such a process.