During the Sunday night NBA playoff slate, the Los Angeles Lakers took care of business in their Game 1 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, winning 128-112. While LeBron James and Anthony Davis provided their expected contributions, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves stepped up in major ways.
The Lakers finished with a staggering four scorers with at least 20 points. Hachimura set a new playoff career-high with 29 points overall, with 21 coming in the second half. Reaves closed out the game for the Lakers as the initiator, scoring 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter.
“The second half, we were in a good rhythm,” Hachimura said. “We were sharing the ball and all the shots just came to me.”
In addition to the impressive play of Hachimura and Reaves, James added 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Davis also contributed 22 points, 12 rebounds, seven blocks, and three steals. It was a strong showcase for a revitalized team looking to do major damage in the postseason.
Coming out of halftime, the Grizzlies capitalized on a turnover by Davis to take a 67-59 lead after Jaren Jackson Jr. had converted a 7-footer. It was the largest lead of the night for Memphis. The Lakers swung the momentum in their favor after Hachimura knocking down four consecutive 3-pointers with an emphatic dunk from Davis in-between, putting the Lakers up 91-85 with 1:36 left in the frame.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS COVERAGE: Los Angeles Lakers & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
The Grizzlies weren’t finished yet, though. Using an 11-2 run to begin the final period, Memphis established a 101-98 lead with 8:55 remaining in regulation. Hachimura and Reaves took over from that point on, scoring 20 of the team’s final 30 points. Los Angeles even used a 14-0 run to completely demoralize the Western Conference’s second seed on their home floor.
For lack of a better term, the Grizzlies were getting sauced up by Reaves. He was thriving operating out of ball screens as the initiator while James watched him cook. Reaves even attacked a closeout out of the corner, then threw a behind-the-back pass to the top of the key for a made 3-pointer. The Defensive Player of the Year sagged off him on a ball screen, conceding a pull-up 3, which resulted in a make and Reaves shouting “I’m him” repeatedly.
Ja Morant left the game early after trying to elevate to finish at the rim despite a defender rotating over to take a charge. He fell on his wrist when landing and given how high up he got on the dunk attempt, it was a dangerous play that proved costly.
“I’m in a good bit of pain,” Morant said. “My main focus was to be out there for my guys. Another incident where, you know, that’s pretty much in jeopardy.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS COVERAGE: Los Angeles Lakers & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
The Grizzlies will need to show more respect to the Lakers’ role players going forward. Memphis dared Reaves and Hachimura to beat them, and they certainly did. The challenge in this situation ahead of Game 2 is that it’s already taxing to contain Davis and James in itself, are they going to need to mix up coverages for additional players? Or will they bet against repeat performances in similar situations?
For the Grizzlies, perhaps it’s most concerning that Jackson finished with an efficient 31 points, and Desmond Bane scored 18, but they still lost. They did not receive a superstar outing from Morant as he finished with 18 points with six turnovers in 30 minutes, and given his injury, he may not be able to make that level of contribution in this series.
Dillon Brooks’ inefficient brand of basketball continued as he shot 5-13 overall and 2-9 from deep, along with the Grizzlies’ limited role players providing minimal impact. Memphis lacks the necessary perimeter shooting firepower to overcome these types of outcomes. They are in real danger of losing the series.
“It’s one game,” Bane said. “It’s the first of four games for a reason. You want to win every game, but most of the time that doesn’t happen.
“We obviously wanted to start it off with a win, but whey won, and we get another opportunity on Wednesday.”
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here.
