The Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies are one of the more exciting matchups in the NBA playoffs this year. A young and hungry team with limited postseason experience aspires to take down an experienced squad with two tried-and-true championship superstars—who just happen to be the underdog this year.
The series is currently tied 1-1, with each team dominating in their respective wins. Here are three takeaways as the series heads to the City of Stars.
Three Takeaways From the Lakers vs. Grizzlies Playoff Series So Far
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Anthony Davis is Key
Days after posting 22 points, 12 rebounds, and seven blocks to open the series, Anthony Davis went out and looked more like a backup than a starter. He put up 13 points (4-14 shooting), nine rebounds, five blocks and three assists in a losing effort to Memphis. It was a far cry from his domination inside a few days ago, as the Grizzlies had his number anytime he ventured into the paint or shot a jumper.
Despite the fact that the Lakers still have LeBron James leading the way at 38 years old, the King has made it clear time and again that the offense is meant to run through Davis.
We have seen what AD is capable of in postseasons past as the number one option. Though the New Orleans Pelicans did not have the same success as LA, Davis averaged 30.5 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game in the 2015 and 2018 playoffs. Though he now shares superstar duties with James, AD’s previous production has been equally stellar. He put up 25.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game in the team’s 2020 and 2021 postseason runs.
Now, in a series where the opposition boasts the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year in Jaren Jackson Jr., AD performing at his best is critical if the Lakers want to win the series. Game one was a rarity in the fact that LeBron did not have to drop 40 to give LA a chance. He simply gave Davis the keys, and he delivered (not to discredit the performances of Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves).
The Lakers’ loss proved what their fans (and the rest of the world) already knew: Davis’s dominance is key in the playoffs. Look for him to bounce back in game three.
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The Grizzlies Might Be Better Without Ja
From a team that relies on their number one option to a team that…might be better without theirs. Grizzlies fans can blame a host of reasons for their game one blunders, but the team responded with force in game two—notably with their star player sidelined.
Memphis had an 11-10 record without Morant this year and a 37-24 record without him all-time. There’s no denying that he impacts the Grizzlies significantly. However, Wednesday’s game was a sign of how their role players stepped up when they were needed the most.
Forward Xavier Tillman led all Memphis scorers with 22 points, along with 13 rebounds and three assists. Jackson Jr. had 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Guards Desmond Bane and Luke Kennard chipped in 17 and 13 points, respectively. And forward Dillon Brooks, who at times has shown more bark than bite, scored 12 points.
With the recent home victory, the Grizzlies hope to bring their play and attitude to Los Angeles, where the Lakers host a playoff game with no attendance restrictions for the first time in two years. Depending on Morant’s status, time will tell if the Grizzlies can back their talk up on the road or if the Lakers can control home court.
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Role Players: Who Wants it More?
Both the Lakers and Grizzlies have a clear duo of stars who carry the team in various categories. However, a big story from the series so far has focused on the contributions of players who can star in their roles.
In game one, the Lakers’ bench outscored the Grizzlies’ second unit 39-24—thanks in large part to Hachimura’s historic 29 points—while D’Angelo Russell and Reaves combined for 52. In game two, however, the script was flipped. Hachimura led the Lakers bench with 20 points followed by seven points from Malik Beasley. Memphis, whose bench scoring was led by Luke Kennard’s 13 points and three triples, also had all of their starters in double figures by the end of the night.
The playoffs are all about “next man up” and an “all hands on deck” mentality. Every player, from the star to the last benchwarmer, needs to produce night in and night out for a team to have a shot at success. The Lakers and Grizzlies have impressed many with their respective squads, as different as they are. However, when fans aren’t watching the main guys go to work, they should observe how the role players are doing. Who is going up for the second-chance points? Who is hustling to give his team an extra possession? Those factors and more are what go into a successful franchise, where all the little things are magnified in the postseason.
The Lakers and Grizzlies have those types of players—ones who are willing to be scrappy and sacrifice for the betterment of their team. The remaining games will be a chance to see those players in action next to their stars, and, ultimately, see which team really wants it more.
