FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Grizzlies - Game 1 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Grizzlies – Game 1 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

Los Angeles Lakers (43-39) | Memphis Grizzlies (51-31)

 

The Los Angeles Lakers stole Game one on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies 128-112 to take a 1-0 series lead.

The Lakers vs Grizzles played at the FedexForum on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Lakers made an early statement Sunday with their 128-112 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, stealing game one and home-court advantage from the second-seed.

Rui Hachimura went berserk, posting a playoff career-best 29 points (11-of-14 FGs, 5-of-6 3s), along with six rebounds and 21 of his 29 points coming in the second half.

“Since I got here, this team really believes in me,” Hachimura said. “(it makes me) very confident and comfortable.”

Hachimura is the first Laker since Magic Johnson in 1996 with 25+ points off the bench. Hachimura also tied Mychal Thompson for the most playoff bench points in Lakers franchise history.

“That was kinda on me,” Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said of giving Hachimura a DNP-CD a couple of weeks ago. “I went rogue on our rotation.” 

Austin Reaves stepped up in the clutch

“It’s probably the best game of his career,” Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane said of Hachimura’s career night. “It’s a seven-game series. Let’s see if he can do it again Wednesday.”

The start of the Lakers vs Grizzlies first half. 

Another Laker who deserves the spotlight is Austin Reaves, who totaled 23 points (8-of-13 FGs, 3-of-5 3s), three rebounds, and four assists. 

“When you got guys like LeBron and AD, it makes things easier,” Reaves said when asked about his huge individual crunch time run. “You dream about being on a stage like this with the best players in the world. I got hot late and had fun.”

Reaves scored 14 of his points in the clutch, with no misses in the second half. Reaves yelled “I’m him!” during his stretch of nine straight points.

“I’m extremely happy for him and I want him to do it again,” LeBron James said of Reaves. “I knew from the first practice that he wasn’t going to be a two-way for long. I’ve been around the game long enough to know great basketball IQ players and the (guys) that fit with me.”

James had 21 points (8-of-16 FGs, 3-of-8 3s), 11 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and three blocks. D’Angelo Russell flew under the radar, but he still had a solid performance with 19 points (7-of-17 FGs, 3-of-9 3s), four rebounds, and seven assists. 

Anthony Davis put up 22 points (10-of-17 FGs), 12 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and seven blocks.

Prior to Davis’ performanceon Sunday, the last player with at least six blocks and two steals in a playoff game was Serge Ibaka in the 2019 NBA Finals.

The end of the Lakers vs Grizzlie s first half. 

Davis was also the first player with at least seven blocks and three steals in a playoff game since Draymond Green on May 9th, 2016.

The start of the Lakers vs Grizzlies second half. 

Davis, however, went to the locker room with 1:15 remaining in the first half, holding his right arm after a collision with Jaren Jackson Jr. It’s something to monitor moving forward.

“Had a little stinger where my arm went completely numb,” Davis said. “It was numb. I couldn’t move it.”

For the Grizzlies, Ja Morant could only muster 18 points (8-of-14 FGs, 2-of-3 3s), six rebounds, and two steals. Morant converted three jumpers (two triples) in the fourth quarter, but Davis had a major role in limiting him to just two assists with six turnovers before Morant left the game. Morant’s status is questionable for game two.

“He’s in some pain,” Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said of Morant.

“I haven’t been using it,” Morant said when asked if he can grip anything in his hand. 

Memphis still received hefty contributions from their other star players, such as Jackson Jr. with 31 points (13-of-21 FGs, 2-of-4 3s), five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. Dillon Brooks posted 15 points (5-of-13 FGs, 2-of-9 3s) and four rebounds. Bane had 22 points (6-of-18 FGs, 3-of-10 3s), five rebounds, and six assists. 

This was a physical game with both teams pushing the ball in transition. The huge story early was Davis dominating the offensive glass, with three of the Lakers’ five boards on that end, to just one from the Grizzlies.

In other news:

The Lakers had four 20-point scorers for the first time since the 1988 playoffs with Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, and Byron Scott.

The Lakers are now 19-7 when James and Davis play together in the playoffs.

The Miami Heat’s advance to the playoffs over the Chicago Bulls means that the Lakers will officially have the 17th pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

The final score of the Lakers vs Grizzlies was 128-112 , Lakers.

The Lakers will continue their series with the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, April 19th at 4:30 p.m. PT.

 

– Jake Ideguchi-Furukawa – Franchise Sports Media

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