National Basketball Association
Memphis 121, L.A. Lakers 109
When: 7:30 PM ET, Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Where: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee
Officials:
#25 Tony Brothers, #77 Karl Lane, #91 Cheryl Flores
Attendance:
17794
By Field Level Media
Ja Morant had 39 points as part of a triple-double and the host Memphis Grizzlies took advantage of LeBron James' absence to pull away from the Los Angeles Lakers late for a 121-109 victory on Tuesday.
Memphis' Xavier Tillman Sr. ignited a key third-quarter run with a dunk.
The Lakers, who led by as many as six points in the third period, saw a three-game winning streak end shortly after learning that James is expected to miss at least two weeks with a foot injury that occurred in a Sunday win at Dallas.
With Anthony Davis (28 points, 19 rebounds) and Lonnie Walker IV (21 points) leading the way, the Lakers played the Grizzlies to a 73-all tie before Memphis closed the third quarter with a 20-11 burst to take the lead for good.
Tillman began the run with a dunk and Luke Kennard added a 3-pointer, but Morant carried the vast majority of the offensive load, single-handedly outscoring the Lakers 15-11 over the 4 1/2-minute stretch.
The Lakers managed to get within 110-106 with 4:48 to go on a three-point play by Davis. However, Tillman turned a Desmond Bane assist into a layup and Morant nailed one of his patented floaters as well as a dunk in an 8-0 counter that kept the visitors at arm's length.
Morant's triple-double included 10 rebounds and a game-high-tying 10 assists. The 39 points were his second-most this season (he had 49 against the Houston Rockets in October), while the triple-double was his sixth of the campaign.
Tillman chipped in with 18 points and a team-high 11 rebounds, while Bane, who had four steals, and Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 16 points apiece in Memphis' second straight win.
Los Angeles' Dennis Schroder produced 10 points and a game-high-tying 10 assists.
Austin Reaves (17) and Malik Beasley (12) also scored in double figures for the Lakers, who lost despite outscoring Memphis 39-18 on 3-pointers and 20-13 at the free-throw line.
Davis was 10-for-13 at the line and also found time for a game-high five blocks.
--Field Level Media
Top Game Performances
L.A. Lakers |
|
Memphis |
Anthony Davis 28 |
Scoring |
Ja Morant 39 |
Dennis Schroder 10 |
Assists |
Ja Morant 10 |
Anthony Davis 19 |
Rebounds |
Xavier Tillman 11 |
Anthony Davis 10 |
Free Throws Made |
Ja Morant 9 |
Malik Beasley 2 |
Steals |
Desmond Bane 4 |
Anthony Davis 5 |
Blocks |
Jaren Jackson Jr. 4 |
Team Stats Summary
Team |
Points |
FG% |
3PM-3PA |
FTM-FTA |
Assists |
Rebounds |
Blocks |
Steals |
Turnovers |
L.A. Lakers
|
109 |
44.2 |
13-34 |
20-23 |
22 |
56 |
10 |
5 |
26 |
Memphis
|
121 |
45.5 |
6-31 |
13-17 |
25 |
47 |
6 |
13 |
7 |
Upcoming Games
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Memphis will play their next game on the road against Houston. The Grizzlies have a W/L % of .676 after a win and .522 after a loss.
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L.A. Lakers will play their next game on the road against Oklahoma City. The Lakers have a W/L % of .517 after a win and .424 after a loss.