With Luka Dončić and Marcus Smart back, the Lakers took care of business, beating the Grizzlies 117-112 on Friday night. This was LA’s first NBA Cup game, and they are off to a perfect start with this convincing win.
Luka looked like his usual self in this game. He had 44 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. In his first full season as a Laker, he is quickly posting historic numbers and positioning himself among basketball legends.
Austin Reaves had 21 points and Jake LaRavia led the bench in scoring with 13.
Deandre Ayton only played in the first half. He was dealing with a back issue and was available, but didn’t play in the second half. He ended his night with nine points.
The Lakers remain undefeated on the road.
Memphis started the game going on a 5-o run. Los Angeles responded with baskets from Smart and Ayton. Luka missed his first couple of shots, but finally scored after grabbing an offensive rebound on his own miss.
Still, the Grizzlies remained in control and stayed in front during the first half of the opening quarter.
LaRavia was the first Laker off the bench, and he followed up his fantastic game against the Wolves by immediately hitting a corner three in this one. After a 3-pointer by Luka with 2:36 left in the first, the Lakers took their first lead of the game.
Memphis rookie Cedric Coward scored on a Ja Morant assist to even the game, but Reaves scored and was fouled, completing the 3-point play and giving LA back the edge. Coward was fouled on the other end, but split his free throws.
Reaves once again went to the charity stripe and knocked down a pair, and the Lakers were in front of the Grizzlies 31-27 after 12 minutes of play.
Memphis started the second quarter just like the first, with a 5-0 run. Dalton Knecht ended LA’s scoring drought with a corner three and after a LaRavia dunk, the Lakers were back on track.
After a five-point scoring burst from Ayton, the Lakers were up by eight, which was their largest lead up to that point.
With Luka scoring with ease and dishing out beautiful dimes to Ayton, the Lakers were in control. However, things took a turn for the worse for the Lakers as their offense stalled and the Grizzlies went on a 27-4 run.
Suddenly, the Lakers were down by double figures.
Smart finally ended the run with a 3-pointer, but the Lakers found themselves down 69-55 entering the third quarter.
To start the second half, Jaxson Hayes was on the floor as Ayton stayed in the locker room. Ayton returned to the bench in the fourth quarter, but never played again.
Luka and Austin went back-to-back from deep to cut the deficit down to eight. The Lakers continued stacking points and went on an 11-0 run.
Luka converted on a 3-pointer to even the score. After a Hayes slam, the Lakers were in front once again. Both teams kept exchanging the lead with each other for the rest of the quarter.
Dončić continued to score and had 35 points after three quarters. Thanks to a Knecht buzzer-beater, Los Angeles was down by just two points entering the final period.
The Lakers scored seven straight points to begin the fourth. Jock Landale scored for the Grizzlies from the free throw line to end the scoring drought for Memphis. The Lakers’ role players began stepping up with Jarred Vanderbilt converting on a dunk, and after a Rui Hachimura 3-pointer, LA was up eight.
Luka hit a 3-pointer next to put the exclamation point on this game and essentially put the Grizzlies to bed. There was still 6:07 to play, but it was clear control had tipped in LA’s favor and this time for good.
Memphis never threatened again, and LA cruised to victory.
Key Takeaways:
Luka is still good at basketball. There were some rough moments, but he led the charge and helped LA secure the win.
Hopefully, Ayton will be okay. He wasn’t on the bench in the third quarter, and while he returned to the bench, he never played in the second half. The last thing the Lakers need is more injuries.
The Lakers’ next matchup is on Sunday night against the Heat at 6:30 PM PT.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
