Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, left, celebrates after dunking during the first half in Game 3 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers center Anthony Davis made 31 points and 17 rebounds to help the Lakers defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 111-101. The Lakers led by as much as 29 points during the matchup.
“It was all energy, we came out with a sense of urgency,” said Lakers center Anthony Davis. “First time playing in [Crypto.com Arena] in front of those Lakers fans at the playoff game, been a while so we fed off their energy, they were great tonight.”
The Lakers shot at 51.9 percent from the field in the first quarter. Memphis shot at 12 percent from the field
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) April 23, 2023
The Purple and Gold also gained 26 points from the Grizzlies’ 18 turnovers. The crowd at Crypto.com Arena was spirited and raucous, chanting for the Lakers while jeering Memphis players like forward Dillon Brooks and guard Ja Morant.
“Thank God we gave them something to cheer about,” said Lakers head coach Darvin Ham. “We came out, our guys are pressing, getting stops, the on-ball defense, everybody shifts and activity off the ball.”
Related Stories
L.A. Sparks Build Roster With Respected, Talented Players
Student Athlete of the Week: Heaven Halibyton
The Lakers tied the largest first-quarter lead in playoff history with their early 35-9 lead. Four Lakers, including forward Rui Hachimura reached double digits in scoring during the phase.
Hachimura ultimately scored 16 points in the match-up. Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell noted how other teammates has encouraged him throughout this series.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis dunks during the first half in Game 3 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
“He’s training every day, trying to fill in the spots in a way they’ve been allowing us to capitalize,” Russell said. “He’s making shots, guarding, rebounding. He’s just good for our team.”
Memphis forward Jaren Jackson Jr. and guard Desmond Bane earned their third foul in the second quarter. However, the Grizzlies found a 7-2 run. Although the Lakers only scored 18 points during that phase, they went into halftime with a 16-point lead.
To start the second half, Brooks struck James and was ejected from the game. After Memphis defeated the Lakers 103-93 in Game Two, Brooks called James “old.” James refused to respond to his comments.
The Lakers take a 2-1 lead in their series against the Memphis Grizzlies after their 111-101 victory. Five Lakers players scored in the double digits. The players attributed the energy from Lakers fans to their victory pic.twitter.com/BghiksWnKw
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) April 23, 2023
“My focus is to my teammates and us trying to figure out how we can beat the Memphis Grizzlies,” James said. “Not how I can beat that individual on that team.”
The Lakers went into the fourth quarter with a 20-point lead. Morant attacked with keen shooting accuracy, going 9-12 from the field and 4-6 from the three-point line during the phase. Morant ultimately scored 45 points in the contest.
“He’s so good at attacking the rim that you want to try to keep bodies in front of him, make him try to live on the perimeter, tonight he made six threes,” James said. “Our mindset: if they were gonna score, we got to continue to score, we got to continue to put pressure on their defense.”
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, shoots as Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard defends during the first half in Game 3 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Ham noted how he wishes the team would not have those types of lulls as they provide their opponent a chance to rally.
“Things are not gonna be perfect,” Ham said. “You just try to use your timeouts wisely, try to settle down a little bit, talk to the guys … just have to try to sustain the wave.”
James poured in 25 points while Russell scored 17 points along with seven assists and guard Austin Reaves made 13 points in the contest,
The Lakers will face the Grizzlies in Game Four on April 24 at 7:00P.M.
