The Memphis Grizzlies didn’t need to ask “Where is Ja?” as they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 103-93 without star point guard Ja Morant.
Memphis has an established track record of winning games without Morant, and they continued that success tonight. LeBron James and Co. looked a step slow trying to keep up with the Grizzlies’ transition attack. How did Memphis win, and what can we expect in Game 3?
Lakers-Grizzlies Game 2: No Ja Morant, No Problem
Lakers-Grizzlies: Game 2 Recap
This game started as a rock fight. Anthony Davis was stellar on defense as an at-rim deterrent. The Grizzlies played tremendous team defense led by Jaren Jackson Jr. and kick-started their transition offense with turnovers. Memphis took a 22-11 lead with just over four minutes left in the first when David Roddy hit a three, then Luke Kennard stole the inbounds and completed a four-point play. Memphis would end the quarter up 30-19.
Back-to-back threes for the Grizzlies 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QFrCwkf0Kh
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 19, 2023
The Grizzlies continued their aggressive play in the second quarter. Xavier Tillman Sr. provided unexpected offense with 12 first-half points, even spinning and flinging a couple of layups in over Davis. The Lakers weren’t able to score reliably as the Grizzlies pushed the lead to 15 at halftime.
AY MANE. SAY JITTTTTTTT. pic.twitter.com/iacqClNmV4
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) April 20, 2023
Memphis maintained their momentum to start the third, but the Lakers were able to cut into the lead as the period went on. Memphis piled up giveaways and went cold from three. The Lakers got creative spacing Jackson’s man away from the basket and converted shots at the rim. Rui Hachimura provided a boost for a second straight game, but Memphis showed composure and made a late run. They took an 83-71 lead into the fourth quarter.
James started to find a rhythm posting up in the third, and that continued early in the fourth. Memphis’ motion offense generated enough good looks to support their stifling defense with Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones at the helm. Bane in particular was able to set up teammates curling off screens and getting downhill with bullying, shoulder-first drives. Bane helped close the game by going 4-4 from the line in 30 seconds around the 3:00 mark of the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies would hold on for a 103-93 victory.
sound on. pic.twitter.com/ULAzMxA5xz
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) April 20, 2023
Lakers-Grizzlies: Game 3 Preview
It might be time for the Lakers to slow things down and mismatch hunt with James. Los Angeles looked frenetic trying to keep up with Memphis’ pace, evidenced by committing 5 turnovers in the first quarter. They would never seriously threaten Memphis after the slow start. Having guards screen for James could force Memphis’ guards like Jones, Bane, or Kennard to switch onto him. He should be able to cause problems for the Grizzlies by posting those players up or using his strength to drive through them.
Darvin Ham will also need to address the D’Angelo Russell issue at some point. Russell is shooting 9-28 overall in this series, including 4-14 from three. He has 11 assists to five turnovers, isn’t making an impact on defense, and after Game 2 gave some concerning quotes about his role. Ham could consider starting either hot-shooting Hachimura or Troy Brown Jr. for Russell. James and Austin Reaves can handle the ball, and the increased size should cause Memphis issues on offense. Russell can try to get a rhythm against Kennard and hide on defense against Roddy and John Konchar.
For Memphis, Dillon Brooks’ fouls were again an issue, as he played just over 22 minutes with 5 fouls in Game 2. Taylor Jenkins could give Tillman the task of guarding James at times in order to save Brooks’ fouls and keep him on the court. Tillman switched onto James on the perimeter and held up decently well, and he has the options of funneling James towards Jackson at the rim. Tillman can also match James’ strength in the post. Memphis cannot expect to win two games in Los Angeles with Brooks playing so few minutes.
