The Memphis Grizzlies have been on a roll this season, and they continued their impressive run with a win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. Despite missing star point guard Ja Morant, the Grizzlies managed to even the series with the Lakers at one game apiece.
The Grizzlies have been playing without Morant since he suffered a sprained ankle in the first game of the series. Without their star player, the Grizzlies had to rely on their depth and team play to get the job done. They got off to a hot start, leading by as many as 11 points in the first quarter. The Lakers were able to fight back in the second quarter, but the Grizzlies held on to take a two-point lead into halftime.
In the second half, the Grizzlies continued to play strong team basketball. They were able to get contributions from all over the court, with Dillon Brooks leading the way with 24 points. Jonas Valanciunas also had a strong performance, finishing with 17 points and 12 rebounds. The Grizzlies also got key contributions from Tyus Jones, Kyle Anderson, and Grayson Allen off the bench.
The Lakers were led by LeBron James, who finished with 25 points and 11 assists. Anthony Davis also had a strong performance, finishing with 22 points and 12 rebounds. However, it was not enough to overcome the Grizzlies’ balanced attack.
The Grizzlies’ win was a testament to their depth and team play. Without their star player, they were still able to compete with one of the best teams in the league. It is clear that this team is capable of making some noise in the playoffs this year.
The series now shifts back to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Friday night. The Grizzlies will be looking to take a 2-1 lead in the series, while the Lakers will be hoping to regain their momentum and take control of the series. It should be an exciting game, and it will be interesting to see how the Grizzlies fare without Morant in the lineup.
