James, Lakers fit for Grizzlies

Morant, Memphis aim to make mark as No. 2 seed

Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are back in the NBA postseason, and the league’s all-time leading scorer couldn’t be more ready.

James and the Lakers missed last year’s playoffs, and Phoenix bounced the then-defending champs in just six games in 2021. These Lakers had to win 10 of their final 12 and rally from 15 down to beat Minnesota in overtime Tuesday night to clinch the No. 7 seed.

Asked about facing the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in the first-round of the Western Conference playoffs, James started ticking off the roster, calling two-time All-star guard Ja Morant : “obviously the head of the snake.”

James even mentioned Luke Kennard, Memphis’ big trade deadline acquisition who led the NBA by making 49.4 percent of his 3-pointers this season. Kennard is also a fellow Ohio native who broke James’ career scoring record in high school.

“Obviously, I haven’t thought about Memphis one minute,” James said to laughter.

The franchises haven’t faced each other in the postseason, and Game 1 is Sunday in Memphis. The Lakers won the season series 2-1, with Morant sitting out the final meeting.

Memphis posted its second straight 50-win season and sixth in franchise history at 51-31. This is the Grizzlies’ third straight playoff berth and second in a row as the West’s No. 2 seed. Their last playoff run ended in the semifinals; Morant was sidelined for the final three of six games in the loss to eventual champ Golden State.

“Obviously, an opportunity for us to go out and prove ourselves, and we got a chance at going for our ultimate goal, which is a championship,” Morant said. “So definitely exciting.”

James starts his chase of a fifth NBA title after leading the Lakers with 28.9 points per game in his 20th season. Dillon Brooks, the guy whom Memphis asks to defend an opponent’s best player, said he wanted this matchup even before the Lakers won their play-in game.

“The legacy is there,” Brooks said. “First time back in the playoffs, knock him out right away in the first round. That’ll test us good. They got good pieces, good players.”

Morant set a franchise record this season by averaging 26.2 points a game, and his drives to the basket for high-flying dunks or acrobatic assists are a key to why the Grizzlies are the NBA’S thirdbest team scoring in transition and best in the paint.

Ham’s defensive plans include throwing lots of bodies at the speedy guard: “We’re going to have our hands full. Our job has to be not to let them get inside of our defense consistently.”

Marcio Jose Sanchez The Associated Press Lebron James and the Lakers were victorious in 10 of their final 12 and rallied in the play-in game to get the No. 7 seed.