The Los Angeles Lakers stopped the negative trend and took their first win in the third game of the season. In the 121: 118 success against the Memphis Grizzlies, LeBron James and Co. had to tremble until the very end in a dramatic final phase. Carmelo Anthony made another jump on the all-time scoring list.
Los Angeles Lakers (1-2) – Memphis Grizzlies (2-1) 121:118 (BOXSCORE)
Anthony became the home team’s best scorer with 28 points from the bank, sank 10/15 of his field worm attempts and ran particularly hot from downtown. With one of his 6 threes (with 8 attempts) he catapulted himself past Moses Malone to 9th place on the all-time scoring list in the third quarter.
In addition to Melo, five other Lakers players achieved double-digit points. Anthony Davis put on 22, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks, LeBron James came up with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. As a team, LA hit over 50 percent both from the field and from a distance (16/30 threesomes). Russell Westbrook showed light and shadow, as a scorer he was inefficient (13, 5/15 FG), his 13 assists and 7 rebounds were compared to 9 turnover.
On the side of the Grizzlies, Ja Morant was the outstanding man who spiced up the game with a lot of spectacle. He scored 40 points (13/21 FG and 5/7 threesomes) and distributed 10 assists – but he also became a tragic figure when he awarded a free throw to potential equalization 1.9 seconds before the end. Desmond Bane added 17 points, Steven Adams came up with a double-double (14 and 16 rebounds plus 6 assists). In a crazy final phase, however, Memphis ultimately missed the third win in the third game.
In the duel between the oldest and the second youngest team in the association, the Lakers’ negative trend initially continued in the first few minutes. Memphis got several good finishes in the zone and LA was up to 10 points behind early on. However, the home side found the right answer. Thanks to a good transition offense and strong passing, LeBron, AD and Co. also came to some points in the zone – that was recently a major weak point against Phoenix.
Morant enthuses the fans – Melo catches fire
By the end of the first section, LA had taken the lead (29:24), which they expanded to 12 points in the second quarter. In the offense, the eye for the extra pass stood out again and again, 17 of the 25 basket successes of the Lakers in half-time one was preceded by an assist. Westbrook also made a positive impression as a playmaker. Ultimately, LA went into the half-time break with 62:56.
Similar to the beginning of the game, the Lakers starters were taken by surprise by the Grizzlies in the opening minutes of half two. Memphis gained a slight advantage with a 14-5 run before the section degenerated into a single highlight show: LeBron pulled out a crazy block, Melo shot himself to number 9 on the all-time scoring list with several three-pointers and then there was the Morant show – a conclusion more acrobatic and impressive than the other.
Morant’s 10 counters and 6 assists in the third round kept Memphis in the front, but it was a tight box (90:87 before the final section). And then Melo could no longer be held. A pull-up followed by two triples by the 37-year-old gave the Lakers a 6-point lead and tore the fans from their seats at the Staples Center. Then LeBron and Malik Monk (12) also got into the three-way fun.
Los Angeles Lakers win in a dramatic final phase
The Grizzlies were far from defeated, however, instead an extremely entertaining exchange of blows developed. The Lakers had the advantage on their side after a nice play from LeBron to Westbrook and on to Davis. Memphis, however, fought its way back from a 7-point deficit. The drama multiplied in the closing minutes with several strong defensive actions by AD, successful coach’s challenges and a miss by Anthony.
With only 15 seconds left on the clock and -3, the guests got the ball, but Los Angeles no longer wanted to allow the chance for a three and decided on deliberate fouls. On the other hand, Monk and AD kept their nerve – then Kent Bazemore fouled Morant in a three-way attempt 2.5 seconds before the end. In keeping with this crazy finish, the Grizzlies star missed the third free throw and the Lakers closed the sack.
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