FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Grizzlies - Game 66

Video Credit: NBA

FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Grizzlies – Game 66

Los Angeles Lakers (32-34) | Memphis Grizzlies (38-26)

Without LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell, the Los Angeles Lakers still got the job done, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 112-103

The Lakers vs Grizzlies took place in Los Angeles Tuesday night.

Lakers vs Grizzlies Anthony Davis — *Photo Credit: Jae C. Hong/AP*

Anthony Davis carried the Los Angeles Lakers into ninth place in the Western Conference with a 112-103 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Davis had 30 points (11-for-17 FGs, 7-for-9 FTs), 22 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. They are now two games back from the fifth seed.

“We’re not satisfied,” Davis said when told that the Lakers moved up to ninth in the West. “We don’t want to stop there, we want to get greedy.”

This is Davis’ second game with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. His last one was at Phoenix in November. The last Laker to have at least two games of 30+ points and 20+ rebounds in a season was Shaquille O’Neal in 2003-04.

“What else do you want him to do?” Stu Lantz said on the Spectrum Sportsnet broadcast.

“He was an animal again on both ends of the floor,” Austin Reaves said of Davis’ performance.

Dennis Schroder added 17 points (5-for-14 FGs, 0-for-3 3s, 7-for-7 FTs), nine assists, and six rebounds. Troy Brown totaled 13 points (4-for-10 FGs, 3-for-6 3s) and four rebounds.

Rui Hachimura put up 17 points (7-for-11 FGs) and six rebounds off the bench. Austin Reaves also finished with 17 points (6-for-13 FGs, 4-for-6 FTs), four rebounds, and seven assists.

LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell missed the Lakers vs Grizzlies game.

“Reaves got game,” Jamal Crawford said while watching Reaves’ highlights on TNT. “Reaves got a whole lot of game.”

The Lakers vs Grizzlies start of the first half.

Lakers vs Grizzlies Jarred Vanderbilt — *Photo Credit: Jae C. Hong/AP*

For the Memphis Grizzlies, Jaren Jackson Jr. led the team with 26 points (8-for-15 FGs, 2-for-6 3s, 8-for-11 FTs), eight rebounds, and two blocks. Tyus Jones trailed behind with 16 points (6-for-14 FGs), three rebounds, and three assists.

Dillon Brooks managed 13 points (5-for-17 FGs, 3-for-10 3s). Xavier Tillman had 11 points (5-for-9 FGs), ten rebounds, and four steals. Santi Aldama, off the bench, had 11 points (4-for-8 FGs, 2-for-4 3s) and five rebounds.

Ja Morant missed his second straight game since the Memphis star took a gun into a strip club on the road and then flaunted it on social media. As a result, the two-time All-Star is the target of two NBA investigations.

D’Angelo Russell missed his sixth straight game with his ankle injury, while LeBron James was not at the game. A Lakers official said he was excused from team activities for medical reasons.

Darvin Ham said the Lakers are targeting Friday vs. the Toronto Raptors for Russell’s return.

Unfortunately for Davis and the Lakers, blood drawn on a foul by David Roddy sent Davis to the locker room after they couldn’t entirely stop the bleeding. As a result, Davis suffered a laceration on his nose that didn’t require stitches.

The Lakers waited while Davis got patched up in the back. The prolonged stretch without Davis hurt the Lakers, notably Jackson Jr., took advantage inside.

The Lakers were up three when Davis went out after the hit to his face. Then, however, they were down six as Memphis repeatedly took the ball into the Lakers’ paint in Davis’ absence.

The Lakers vs Grizzlies end of the first half.

With Davis back in action, there was great energy from the Lakers on the defensive end, as Schroder and Reaves notched back-to-back steals, both resulting in transition buckets.

The Lakers vs Grizzlies start of the second half.

The Lakers improved to 5-2 since the All-Star break and 3-2 since James’ right foot injury. At 32-34, they’re ninth in the West now, the highest they’ve been this season. Up next, the Toronto Raptors.

“We’re playing the right style of basketball,” Davis said. “It’s always fun when you’re winning.”

“I want to hopefully be up there one day as well,” Davis told Pau Gasol on the latter’s jersey retirement. “I want to be in that group.”

“Having AD and Vando (Jarred Vanderbilt) helps,” Reaves on the Lakers’ defense of late.

The Lakers vs Grizzlies final score was 112-103, Los Angeles.