Beaten in Game 2 despite the absence of Ja Morant, but victorious in Game 1 to regain home advantage, the Lakers now had to do the job at home to regain control of this series against the Grizzlies. This time, “JaMazing” was in uniform and in the five, enough to make this Game 3 even more exciting.
Even more exciting because Morant was simply monstrous with his 45 points, including 22 in a row in the last quarter. But now, the Grizzlies did not emerge against the beautiful defense of the Lakers, capable of limiting Memphis to 9 points in the first quarter to take… 26 points ahead. A real knockout, from the first round, from which the Grizzlies will never recover since LeBron James’ teammates will be content to manage this lead. Of course, the gap will melt, and Memphis will fall below the 10-point gap. But it will be 90 seconds from the end, and they will dominate this game from start to finish despite the exploits of Morant.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— The expulsion of Dillon Brooks. Back from the locker room, Brooks imitated James Harden by testing the resistance of his opponent’s private parts. A cuff in the crotch that sends LeBron to the ground, and Brooks to the locker room before everyone else. Without him, the meeting will remain boiling with the start of a clash between David Roddy and Rui Hachimura after a dangerous push from the Grizzlies player.
— The crazy series of Ja Morant. He had ants in his legs, and it showed! We will remember his crazy series of 22 points in a row in the last quarter. It was too late, but he silenced the Crypto.com Arena, and that was no small feat.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅Anthony Davis. He set the tone for the match with his rediscovered aggressiveness in attack, but also his impact in defense. A full game with 31 points, 17 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals.
✅LeBron James. For his “first real match” of the playoffs in Los Angeles, he was royal, and he immediately posed big problems for the defense of Memphis by his reading of the game and his tumbles.
✅ Ja Morant. His line of stats speaks for itself: 45 points, 13 assists, 9 rebounds, 6 3-point shots.
⛔Jaren Jackson Jr. He did not see the light of day against Anthony Davis, as if paralyzed by the atmosphere.
THE FOLLOWING
Game 4still in Los Angeles, on the night of Monday to Tuesday (04:00).
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
