They met two days previous to Sunday night time’s encounter at Crypto.com Area, a two-game set between the Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies harking back to a playoff collection.
The Lakers received the primary recreation Friday night time right here and knew the Grizzlies have been going to convey extra depth and a stronger effort even with star guard Ja Morant (proper calf contusion) not taking part in.
And that was the case, the Lakers falling behind by 16 factors within the second quarter, the Grizzlies ramping it up in a giant method. However with Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Jake LaRavia main the way in which, the Lakers pulled out a 120-114 win and improved to 12-0 in clutch video games.
“They performed distinctive basketball within the first half after we knew we have been going to get their finest shot, particularly after the playoff-type of format,” mentioned LeBron James, who had 26 factors, 10 assists to go together with seven rebounds. “The group all the time make the changes coming to the subsequent recreation, higher ready. So, I feel it’s simply within the second half, we began to crack the code somewhat bit. Was capable of get the lead down within the third. They form of broke away somewhat bit once more, however we simply saved at it on the market and was capable of have an amazing fourth quarter.”
Doncic nearly had a triple-double with 36 factors, 9 rebounds and eight assists. LaRavia, beginning within the absence of Rui Hachimura, had 26 factors, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. It was the second straight time LaRavia, who got here in averaging 9.1 factors, scored 20-plus. HIs protection additionally was on level once more, one other signal of LaRavia’s improvement and a job he has been capable of fill for the Lakers.
“I simply really feel like I’m a participant the place while you inform me the issues that you really want me to do I’m going to only go on the market and do them,” mentioned LaRavia, who was nine-for-16 from the sphere and four-for-10 from three-point vary. “I’ve had loads of conversations with (Lakers coach) JJ (Redick), with (Lakers assistant) coach Beau (Levesque) they usually inform me what they need me to do on the market and I form of simply go on the market and I strive my finest to do this each recreation. Pictures aren’t going to fall each recreation, however I can management the hassle that I convey to a recreation, crashing each time. I do know they discuss offensive crash-rate. I’m simply attempting to do this each night time and simply bringing vitality to this group.”
Again-and-forth the sport went within the fourth quarter,, with the Lakers and Grizzlies taking turns delivering in tense moments. The Lakers lastly took the lead for good at 100-99 on a basket by Doncic.
Then James scored on a three-point play and made one in every of two free throws for a 104-99 lead with 3 minutes 49 seconds left.
The Lakers (22-11) had a solution for each Grizzlies counter, the ultimate stamp on the sport being Doncic’s back-to-back three-pointers for a nine-point lead with 2:01 left.
So, the Lakers handed the check the NBA put in entrance of them by scheduling a recreation towards the Grizzlies right here Friday night time after which at house once more on Sunday night time.
“I prefer it,” Redick mentioned. “I do suppose it does replicate [the playoffs] in some methods. A playoff collection, significantly when it’s not a home-and-away state of affairs, however extra of you’re taking part in a two-game collection on any person’s house courtroom for the day in between. Had just a few of those final 12 months. So, I like this for our group and it’s a great development alternative. Coming off a win, realizing that there’s plenty of stuff that we may be higher at and the place can we make enhancements. That’s the large problem to me.”
For Redick, that meant what it all the time does for the Lakers — enhancing on protection.
They held the Grizzlies to 42% taking pictures and 24.4% from three-point vary.
LeBron James shoots towards Christian Koloko of the Grizzlies within the first quarter Sunday.
(Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Photos)
The Lakers additionally needed to jump-start middle Deandre Ayton from a five-game slumber.
Ayton had simply 4 factors on two-for-four taking pictures towards the Grizzlies on Friday night time and hadn’t scored greater than 12 factors in that span.
So, the Lakers went to Ayton on the outset, attempting to ignite his recreation. It labored to a level, Ayton scoring 15 factors, grabbing eight rebounds and blocking three pictures.
“I belief my teammates so nicely and they’re generational gamers so I actually strive to not clog their mind up with simply me or attempt to give attention to me,” mentioned Ayton, who was six-for-eight from the sphere. “It’s extra like me desirous to crash the boards early and get going. However I simply recognize them discovering me in spots the place I acquired the benefit and that’s all I can actually fear about. It’s actually me not getting pissed off. It’s extra like this the place I dominate. I don’t actually care a few play for me or touches. It’s the rhythm of the basketball recreation that retains me within the movement and retains me going.”
