Grizzlies foiled by James in close loss to Lakers
Friday night’s matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers felt more like the playoff series from last season than a regular-season game with 13 Memphis players out.
Fedexforum was electric as Lakers purple and gold infiltrated the arena, but the Grizzlies crowd wasn’t to be outdone.
Memphis (27-54) got enough big-time performances from several key contributors to put the Lakers on edge. It had a chance to tie the game late, but Lebron James grabbed a steal and threw down a reverse dunk to seal a 123-120 win.
James led the Lakers (46-35) with 37 points. Anthony Davis scored 36 points and had 14 rebounds.
GG Jackson led the Grizzlies with 31 points, one of four to score more than 20. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jake Laravia each had 28 points and six assists, and Jordan Goodwin had 23 points and a game-high 17 rebounds.
Here are some takeaways from the game.
Memphis wings delivered to Fedexforum
Laravia and Jackson came to play.
The two forwards had no fear or hesitation when James stared at them on defensive possessions. James started the game guarding Jackson but shifted to Laravia late in the third quarter after he got hot. James ramped up the intensity and limited Laravia, but demanding that level of attention from one of the NBA’S greatest players is notable.
Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jordan Goodwin set the tone
Goodwin started the game on fire and knocked down three quick 3-pointers. His intensity was the same as always. He battled James and several other bigger Lakers players on the glass.
Pippen plays a smooth and calm game with the ability for big flash plays just when you start to relax. He knocked down 3-pointers, threw down big-time dunks and was the orchestrator after Memphis trailed by as many as 13 points.
Lebron James and Anthony Davis carry Lakers
The Lakers realized they had a dogfight on their hands late in the third quarter. That’s when they dialed up the intensity, and to no surprise, James and Davis led that charge. James took away Laravia’s rhythm with smothering defense.
When Grizzlies center Trey Jemison picked up his fourth foul, coach Taylor Jenkins was forced to play small. James purposely got the ball to Davis on the following possessions. That stretch put the Lakers out in front.
What’s next
The Grizzlies will end the season at home Sunday against the Denver Nuggets (2:30 p.m. CT, Bally Sports Southeast).
The Nuggets could clinch the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with a win, so MVP favorite Nikola Jokic is likely to see the floor. The Grizzlies have shut down many of their regular rotation players, so this will be another opportunity for the younger ones.