On Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. The Lakers were able to come away with a victory, thanks in large part to the stellar second-half performance of forward Rui Hachimura.
Hachimura, who was acquired by the Lakers at the trade deadline, had a quiet first half, scoring just two points on 1-of-4 shooting. However, he stepped up in the second half and was instrumental in the Lakers’ victory. He scored 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including a crucial three-pointer late in the fourth quarter that put the Lakers ahead for good. He also grabbed four rebounds and dished out two assists.
Hachimura’s performance was especially impressive considering he was playing against a Grizzlies team that had the best defense in the NBA this season. He was able to find ways to score despite Memphis’ tough defense, and his ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc was especially important for the Lakers.
The Lakers will need Hachimura to continue his strong play if they hope to advance past the Grizzlies in this series. He has shown that he can be a difference maker for Los Angeles, and if he can continue to make plays like he did in Game 1, the Lakers will have a great chance of advancing to the next round.
Overall, Rui Hachimura’s second-half performance was instrumental in helping the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. His ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc and make plays despite Memphis’ tough defense was key for Los Angeles, and if he can continue to play at this level, the Lakers will have a great chance of advancing past the Grizzlies.
