FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Grizzlies - Game 3 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Grizzlies – Game 3 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

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

 

The Los Angeles Lakers survived a late push by Ja Morant to take a 2-1 series lead with their 111-101 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Lakers vs Grizzles played at the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.

The Los Angeles Lakers survived a scoring outburst from Ja Morant (22 straight points) in the fourth quarter to take a 2-1 series lead over the Memphis Grizzlies.

“Our crowd was phenomenal. We felt them in the building,” Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said of the Lakers fans. “We look forward to having the same thing on Monday.”

“It was amazing,” LeBron James said of the playoff atmosphere. “They gave us all the energy; we just tried to repay it back with energy and effort.”

Anthony Davis led the way for the Lake Show, producing 31 points (11-of-24 FGs, 1-for-4 3s, 8-of-10 FTs), 17 rebounds, two steals, and three blocks. 

“He just controlled the game,” D’Angelo Russell said of Davis.

Davis is the first Lakers player with 15 blocks in a three-game playoff span since Shaquille O’Neal in 2004.

James had 25 points (10-of-20 FGs, 0-for-4 3s, 5-of-7 FTs), nine rebounds, and five assists.

Anthony Davis took over

“What type of statement I made? I’ve been doing this too long,” James said when asked what type of statement he made with his game. “I’m not making no statements.”

The start of the Lakers vs Grizzlies’ first half. 

Russell and Austin Reaves made considerable contributions, with the former totaling 17 points (5-of-14 FGs, 2-for-7 3s, 5-of-5 FTs), four rebounds, and seven assists, while the latter had 13 points (5-of-10 FGs, 1-for-4 3s) and six rebounds.

Rui Hachimura was once again electric coming off the bench, putting up 16 points (6-of-10 FGs, 2-for-2 3s) and five rebounds.

Hachimura is the first Laker since Luke Walton in 2008 with at least 15 points off the bench in three straight playoff games.

An exceptional performance from Morant in his return kept the Grizzlies afloat in this one, scoring 22 straight points in the fourth quarter, finishing with 45 points (13-of-26 FGs, 6-of-10 3s, 13-of-14 FTs), nine rebounds, and 13 assists.

Morant shot just 30.7 percent from 3 this season (32.1 percent for his career).

Los Angeles took a 9-2 lead after Memphis opened just 1-for-8 from the field against an aggressive Laker defense. The Lakers were then up 18-2 after a four-point play from Russell.

Russell’s four-point play was the Lakers’ first in a playoff game since 2009.

Memphis hit only three of their 25 field goal attempts (12 percent) in the first quarter, including 1-of-13 3’s, as Los Angeles took a 35-9 lead.

That lead was the largest after one quarter in Lakers playoff history.

The Lakers’ 26-point first-quarter advantage also tied for the largest lead after the first quarter in a playoff game in NBA history. This is the third time it has happened. The last time was when the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Miami Heat on May 24th, 2021.

Memphis managed to outscore the Lakers 28-18 in the second. Slippage was inevitable. However, Los Angeles stopped generating the looks they got earlier in the game.

The end of the Lakers vs Grizzlies’ first half. 

At the beginning of the second half, Dillon Brooks got ejected with a flagrant two for hitting James in the groin area. 

The start of the Lakers vs Grizzlies’ second half. 

“I ain’t talking,” Brooks said to an interview request postgame.

Brooks left after going 3-for-13 for seven points with two rebounds.

“Just focusing on the game plan,” James said of the Brooks ejection. “There was a lot of game to be played when that incident happened. So just tried to get up, protect my crown jewels, and move on to the next play.”

“With how they treat Dillon, I wouldn’t be surprised,” Morant said if he fears Brooks will get suspended in Game 4.

“I mean, I don’t know,” James said on whether Brooks should be suspended. “If he’s in the lineup, if he’s out of the lineup, we’ve gotta prepare.”

Other news:

Reaves finished seventh in the NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting.

With another successful challenge by Ham, he’s now 14-7 on the season.

The Grizzlies’ nine-point first quarter is the lowest-scoring quarter by any team this season.

The final score of the Lakers vs Grizzlies was 111-101, Lakers.

The Lakers will continue their series with the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, April 22nd, at 7:00 p.m. PT.

 

– Jake Ideguchi-Furukawa – Franchise Sports Media

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