A disastrous start on Saturday against the Los Angeles Lakers cost the Memphis Grizzlies Game 3. The teams met for the second time in three days at Crypto.com Arena, and the Grizz were certainly looking for a better opening quarter.
First Quarter:
The Grizzlies raced out to 10 quick points, already surpassing their measly nine-point quarter from Saturday. Memphis, intent on stopping Anthony Davis and LeBron James on offense, left Jarred Vanderbilt open in the corner. He made them pay, drilling two of four three-point attempts. Jackson and Brooks picked up two fouls each forcing Luke Kennard and Santi Aldama to come in early in the period. It was a pretty even first quarter but the Lakers pulled ahead 29-23 entering the second.
Second Quarter:
Los Angeles’s lead grew to eight early in the quarter. Taylor Jenkins did not waste time putting Jackson and Brooks back in the game. Jackson could not get his offensive game going and despite Memphis’s top two defenders being on the floor, Los Angeles made a run to go up nine with nine minutes to go in the quarter. The Grizzlies’ offense stalled, scoring 7 minutes through the first 5 minutes of the second quarter. Jenkins decided to use Memphis’s challenge midway through the period and it was unsuccessful.
Moments later, the Lakers successfully used their challenge after Davis was called for his third foul. Finally, the Grizzlies found some offense. Bane was able to rally Memphis ahead of halftime. Hustling for offensive rebounds, sinking a three and getting to his floater, Bane gave the Grizzlies a much-needed energy boost. The Grizzlies went on a 14-1 run to end the half, leaving the score at 54-52.
Third Quarter:
Bane and Jackson got the offense started early for Memphis. Unfortunately, the Grizzlies could not get a stop and were unable to close the gap. Reaves picked up his fourth foul and made a quick exit in the quarter. On a transition layup, Morant landed hard, reinjuring his right hand. Morant played through the pain and immediately made a behind-the-back pass to Xavier Tillman for a dunk. Bane continued to deliver on offense, lacing a shot from beyond the arc and driving to the hoop for an easy lay.
Memphis grabbed a five-point lead and was able to keep that margin for much of the period but Los Angeles made a late run to tie the game. Morant delivered an electric, buzzer-beating dunk to put Memphis ahead 83-81 as the game went to the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter:
Reaves hit a three out of the gates to put LA ahead but Memphis responded. Tillman and Jackson scored in the paint at will with Davis on the bench. Jenkins did not waste time getting his starters back in the game. After a short breather, Morant, Bane and Brooks checked back into the game with 8:40 to go.
Neither team was able to pull away. Each side traded buckets, free throws and defensive stops as the margin remained within five for much of the period. Bane drilled a three to make it a seven-point game with five minutes to go. D’Angelo Russell hit three straight triples to give Los Angeles a two-point lead. Bane hit a midrange jumper to tie the game at 99.
The score stayed knotted at 99 for two minutes as each team struggled to score. Davis broke the tie with a free throw. Russell picked up his sixth foul, sending Bane to the line for two free throws. Hachimura missed a three and, on the other end, Morant went back to the free-throw line. He went 1-2, giving Memphis a two-point lead. Reaves got to the hoop on the other end to tie it up.
Los Angeles had a chance to take the lead, but Jackson swatted it away getting the ball to Morant in transition who dished it to Bane for a two-point lead with six seconds left.
The King was not done. He took the ball to the hoop, shot it high off the glass and tied the game with 0.8 seconds left. After a timeout, Davis swatted Morant’s shot attempt to send the game to overtime.
Overtime:
Everyone was gassed by the time overtime started. The Lakers got out to a four-point lead after buckets from Davis and James. Morant got to his patented push shot to cut it to two. AD went 1-2 from the free-throw line to give LA a 109-106 lead.
James took over giving the Lakers a 113-108 lead late. Memphis was unable to get anything on offense. Schoder hit two free throws to ice the game.
Final score: Los Angeles 117, Memphis 111
Desmond Bane: 36 points (13-29 FG, 3-12 3PT), 7 rebounds, 3 assists
Ja Morant: 19 points (8-24 FG, 1-6 3PT), 7 assists, 4 rebounds
Jaren Jackson Jr.: 14 points (5-15 FG, 0-4 3PT), 14 rebounds, 5 blocks