FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Grizzlies - Game 5 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Grizzlies – Game 5 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

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

 

The Los Angeles Lakers slipped and fell to the Memphis Grizzlies 116-99. However, they still hold a 3-2 series lead.

The Lakers vs Grizzles played at the FedexForum on Wednesday.

The Los Angeles Lakers convincingly lost Game 5 to the Memphis Grizzlies, falling behind by as many as 25 points. They still maintain a 3-2 series lead. 

“We had some untimely possessions where we couldn’t get a rebound,” Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said. “If you give them two or three chances, they’re gonna make you pay.”

The Lakers lost despite Anthony Davis having a career night, tying his playoff career high of 19 rebounds, along with 31 points (14-of-23 FGs,1-for-3 3s) and two blocks. It was a solid offensive bounce-back game from Davis after he went 4-for-13 in Game 4 (12 points).

“I’ll play 48. It’s what you kind of prepared the entire season for,” Davis said of his minutes. “If Coach needs me to play 42, 45, 48, whatever minutes to get the job done, I’ll be ready to do so.”

With this performance, Davis joins George Mikan, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal as the only Lakers with multiple 30-point, 15-rebound playoff games.

This time LeBron James struggled, totaling just 17 points (5-of-17 FGs, 1-for-9 3s, 4-for-6 FTs), ten rebounds, and five assists.

Anthony Davis had a career night

“Tonight, I was sh*t,” James said of his performance. “I’ll be better in Game 6.”

The start of the Lakers vs Grizzlies’ first half. 

James just hasn’t had 3’s fall this series. After going 3-for-8 in Game 1, he’s gone just 3-for-28 since, including his 1-for-9 performance in this one.

“He has the most points scored ever. He’s the greatest to ever touch the court. He’s fine,” Davis said of James’ Game 5 performance. “He’ll be fine. He’ll adjust.”

Austin Reaves produced 17 points (4-of-13 FGs, 3-for-8 3s, 6-for-6 FTs), eight rebounds, and six assists.

“Still really high. They’re the two seed for a reason. They’re really good,” Reaves said of the Lakers’ confidence. “We didn’t come in thinking it was gonna be a cakewalk, but we’re going back to our house, and we’ll compete to win there.”

Memphis opened the game with their expected desperate energy, down 3-1, by hitting their first four shots. A physical, aggressive defense from the Grizzlies frustrated James and Davis early.

The non-Davis second unit struggled against Memphis in Games 1 and 2, and Game 5 was worse by the end of the first quarter. The Grizzlies were up 23-20 when Davis went to the bench at the 3:19 mark and then led 38-24 after a 15-4 run.

The end of the Lakers vs Grizzlies’ first half. 

Eight straight points from D’Angelo Russell (11 points, four rebounds, ten assists) had the Lakers down by just one point, 61-60, with less than two minutes left in the third quarter.

The start of the Lakers vs Grizzlies’ second half. 

The Lakers applied pressure on Desmond Bane’s (33 points, ten rebounds, five assists) on-screen actions and trusted James to play in the paint, waiting for Davis to recover. This funneled shots away from Bane and toward Xavier Tillman (Eight points, six rebounds, four assists) and Dillon Brooks (Eight points).

Memphis had a burst seemingly out of nowhere with a 7-0 run while Davis sat, and then increased the margin with Davis back in the game after another 7-0 burst in the final minute closed the quarter.

Los Angeles made Bane and Ja Morant (31 points, ten rebounds, seven assists) work for their points in Game 4, Bane was 13-for-29, and Morant was 8-for-24. However, they scored far more easily in this one, with Bane 12-for-20 and Morant 13-for-24.

Jaren Jackson Jr., the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, added 18 points and ten rebounds for the Grizzlies.

“I said it out there, and I’ll say it again,” Bane said. “We are going to be back for a Game 7 in front of the best fans in the NBA.”

The final score of the Lakers vs Grizzlies was 116-99, Grizzlies.

The Lakers will continue their series with the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, April 28th, at 7:30 p.m. PT.

 

– Jake Ideguchi-Furukawa – Franchise Sports Media

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