FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Grizzlies - Game 62

FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Grizzlies – Game 62

Franchise Sports Media

Los Angeles Lakers (29-33) | Memphis Grizzlies (37-23)

 

Without LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers snapped their three-game winning streak after losing to the Memphis Grizzlies 121-109.

The Lakers vs Grizzlies pre-game injury report.

The Los Angeles Lakers turned the ball over a staggering 26 times in their 121-109 loss against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers were severely undermanned, however, as both LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell are expected to miss some time.

According to Shams Charania, “LeBron James is expected to miss an indefinite amount of time. I’m told it’s likely at least two or three weeks.” James suffered the injury in Sunday’s win over Dallas.

“Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James (foot) will be re-evaluated after a few weeks, and at that time, the hope is to gather a better understanding of what direction to go in, which would keep him sidelined additional time,” Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report added more information to the reports of James injury.

The Lakers were feeling the absence of James, as they matched their season high with those 26 turnovers mentioned above, leading to 41 points for Memphis, a new franchise record for the Grizzlies.

Memphis also dominated inside, outscoring the Lakers 86-48, and the Grizzlies added 33 fast-break points.

Darvin Ham on missing James, “You got arguably the best player to ever play the game; you’re going to feel his absence. That’s for damn sure. But we have capable players at all positions. It’s just a matter of us slowing down and having a rhythm to what we’re doing.”

The Lakers vs Grizzlies is the first game the Lakers played without LeBron James since the All-Star break.

“I don’t want him to rush back early. I want him to get completely right and healthy before he comes back. It’s on us to step up and win basketball games,” Anthony Davis said postgame on James.

The Lakers vs Grizzlies first half.

Davis played a huge part in keeping the Lakers afloat despite the turnovers, totaling 28 points (9-for-19 FGs, 10-for-13 FTs), 19 rebounds, five blocks, and five turnovers. Austin Reaves, off of the bench, had 17 points (5-for-8 FGs, 4-for-7 3s), seven assists, and four turnovers.

Lonnie Walker IV had fallen out of the rotation since the Lakers made some moves at the deadline. However, in this one, Walker produced 21 points (7-for-15 FGs, and 5-for-10 3s) and four rebounds off the bench.

Dennis Schroder added 10 points (4-for-11 FGs, 1-for-4 3s), ten assists, four rebounds, and six turnovers. Malik Beasley had 12 points (5-for-8 FGs, 2-for-4 3s).

Jarred Vanderbilt and Troy Brown Jr. both had a rough outing offensively for the Lakers, as they combined for six points on 2-for-14 from the field and 0-for-5 from distance, along with four turnovers. Vanderbilt, however, did also contribute eight rebounds. 

The Grizzlies didn’t just win because of the Lakers’ mistakes, as Ja Morant scored 28 of his 39 points (15-for-29 FGs, 0-for-5 3s, 9-for-11 FTs) in the third quarter, along with ten assists and ten rebounds. Morant made 10-for-12 shots in the highest-scoring quarter ever by a Grizzlies player.

Morant’s third-quarter burst broke the game wide open as the Grizzlies had a 93-84 advantage entering the fourth. He made only three of his 14 attempts in the first half. He was also 12 of 15 in the final two quarters.

The Lakers vs Grizzlies second half.

“I was just feeling it,” Morant said. “I got going and was able to keep it rolling and put us in a good position to win the game.”

The Lakers vs Grizzlies got ugly for Los Angeles at the end.

In addition, Xavier Tillman finished with 18 points (9-for-17 FGs), 11 rebounds, and two steals for Memphis, while Jaren Jackson Jr. had 16 points (7-for-14 FGs, 1-for-4 3s), seven rebounds, and four blocks. Desmond Bane contributed 16 points (7-for-13 FGs, 0-for-2 3s), five rebounds, and four steals.

Memphis ripped off eight straight points to take the first double-digit lead in the game as Brandon Clarke scored on a dunk off the Lakers’ 22nd turnover with 9:14 left. The lead would eventually reach 106-92 with nine minutes left in regulation.

The Lakers wanted to dictate the pace but couldn’t control the ball. Without James and Russell, the Lakers battled but fell victim to a massive turnover margin of 26-6. The Lakers drop to 29-33 and 5-10 without James this season. Up next, at Oklahoma City.

The Lakers vs Grizzlies final score was 121-109 Memphis over Los Angeles. 

The Lakers travel to the Paycom Center to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder Wednesday, March 1st, at 5;00 p.m. PT. The game is on Spectrum SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and Bally Sports Southwest.

 

– Jake Ideguchi-Furukawa – Franchise Sports Media

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