The Los Angeles Lakers had a prime opportunity to return home with a 2-0 series lead.
Memphis star Ja Morant was ruled out (hand injury sustained in Game 1) about an hour before tip-off, and the Grizzlies were already without Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke.
Instead of taking advantage, getting another road victory and taking control of the series, the Lakers stumbled. They lost to the Grizzlies, 103-93, in Game 2 of their Western Conference series on Wednesday.
Los Angeles’ starters in particular failed to capitalize.
Through three quarters, LeBron James was the only Laker in double-figures, and the Lakers shot just 41.2% from the field and 26.9% on 3-pointers for the game.
Anthony Davis had just 13 points on 4-for-14 shooting and eight rebounds, and while he had five blocks, the best version of the Lakers features Davis scoring 24-plus points and collecting 10-plus rebounds.
For the most part, Davis hasn’t had too many of those dud games, especially since the All-Star break, but he can’t afford them now. Every now and then, Davis floats through a game and doesn’t make much of an impact offensively. This was one of those games. He had just four points in the second and third quarters, and that’s not enough offensive production.
So much of the Lakers’ success depends on Davis’ ability to produce alongside James.
Remove James’ 12-for-23 shooting, and Los Angeles’ four other starters were a combined 14-for-42 (33.3%) from the field – 2-for-11 from D’Angelo Russell and 5-for-12 from Austin Reaves, who didn’t have that same magic he had in Game 1.
With James on the roster, the Lakers aren’t overlooking Memphis. They know you can’t do that in the playoffs. They just weren’t good enough and failed to meet the Grizzlies’ competitiveness.
Memphis earned that win, too, under difficult circumstances. It illustrates just how talented the roster is. Big man Xavier Tillman moved into the starting lineup at the start of the series, and he had playoff career-highs in points (22 on 10-for-13 shooting) and rebounds (13) and fellow Michigan State product Jaren Jackson Jr., the 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year, had 18 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
Tyus Jones got the start in place of Morant, and he is as steady as a backup point guard in this league comes. He delivered 10 points, eight assists, six rebounds and had just one turnover.
No one would’ve thought twice had the Grizzlies lost given Morant’s absence. Instead, they issued a statement. They’re here to win this series no matter who is on the court.
The Lakers went on the road to start the series and did what all teams want to do – win at least one of the first two games and get a split before heading home.
But they also missed a chance to put Memphis in deep trouble.
