New FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Grizzlies - Game 3

New FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Grizzlies – Game 3

Franchise Sports Media

Los Angeles Lakers (1-2) | Memphis Grizzlies (2-1)

 

The Los Angeles Lakers squeaked out their first victory of the 2021-22 season, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 121-118.

 

The Lakers were presented with a tough challenge from the get go from rising star Ja Morant and the Grizzlies Sunday night. Memphis won the tip and got first crack at scoring for the game thanks to a De’Anthony Melton three-point shot 37 seconds in. The Grizzlies got off to a quick start early on, building a 10 point lead by the halfway point of the first quarter.

The Lakers began to chop into the lead by getting to the free throw line and scoring in the paint when they were given the chance to. Los Angeles took their first lead of the game with 1:05 left in the quarter from a Carmelo Anthony field goal. Anthony followed up with a three to close out the quarter. The Lakers led 29-24 after one quarter.

The second quarter would start the same as the first quarter ended for Anthony, as he drained another three to build the lead to eight points. The Lakers started the quarter strong, continuing to knock down shots and living in the paint to build an 11 point lead after three and a half minutes of the quarter. The teams would trade two-pointers with one another for three minutes until Malik Monk followed a layup from Anthony to build the lead to 12.

The Grizzlies fought back with seven unanswered points before the teams traded points again. Late in the quarter, Morant sank two late threes to keep Memphis within striking distance.

 

After one half, the Lakers held a 62-56 lead over the Grizzlies. Morant ended the half with 17 points, while the leading Lakers scorer was Anthony Davis with 13 in the half.

 

The third quarter would feature another case of a sluggish start for the Lakers coming back from the break. Nine of the first 11 points of the quarter went to the Grizzlies, which included two quick baskets from Melton to give the Grizzlies their first lead since the first quarter.

After Davis and LeBron James put the Lakers back in front, Memphis continued to stay vigilant and took the lead back with threes from Jaren Jackson Jr. and Melton. The game went back and forth throughout the quarter with each team trying to keep the lead, but after three quarters, the Grizzlies had a 90-87 lead.

The final quarter started with James tying the game with a three, but Steven Adams responded with a jump shot, leading to another tradeoff for the first two minutes. The Lakers retook the lead after Anthony drained two threes in a row, only to be followed up by a three from Morant, which was then followed by threes from James and Monk. The Lakers’ comfortable lead didn’t last as Morant and Melton brought the Grizzlies back to within two points. Kent Bazemore hit a big three with 4:13 left in the game to make it a two possession game once again.

With less than three minutes remaining, the Lakers got into foul trouble, which allowed the Grizzlies to make four straight free throws, followed by a jump shot from Desmond Bane to make it a one point game. Anthony hit a clutch jump shot to keep Los Angeles ahead by three as the game hit the 1:00 mark on the clock.

 

The Lakers forced Memphis to take free throws by fouls in order to avoid giving up the late three that would send the game into overtime or lose it for them. The plan worked as the teams traded free throws to keep the game within three, until Bazemore fouled Morant from downtown.

Morant made the first two free throws, but missed the game-tying free throw with Anthony getting the rebound and being intentionally fouled by Adams. Anthony made both free throws, leaving the Grizzlies with 1.9 seconds to tie the game. Adams tried to pass it down the court but got picked off by Russell Westbrook, ending the game with the Lakers winning 121-118.

It was a more well-rounded scoring night for the Lakers squad, as six players scored double-digit points. Anthony led the team with 28 points in 28 minutes, while Davis and James had 22 and 19 points respectively. Westbrook recorded his second straight double double with 13 points and 13 assists. Monk scored 12 points in 21 minutes while Bazemore added 11 in 28 minutes. Morant led all scores with 40 points on 13-of-21 from the field along with having 10 assists, giving him a double double.

 

The Lakers will play their first road game of the season on Tuesday  in San Antonio when they take on the Spurs. The game will start at 5:30 and can be seen on Spectrum SportsNet.

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 – Matt Dobbs – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Matt on Twitter @RecordBowlerFSM

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