LA Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies Game Player Stats and Box Score for April 12, 2024
The LA Lakers faced the Memphis Grizzlies in their second last game of the 2023-24 NBA regular season. The Lakers entered the game as the 10th seed with a 45-35 record. They are in a three-way tiebreaker with the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. The Lakers don't hold a season series win over either team, so the order will stay the same if the three division rivals have the same record.
The Lakers are expected to win Friday's game against the Grizzlies as they missed 13 players, including their preferred starters and rotation players. However, Memphis, with their two-way players, caused all kinds of trouble for their veteran-bolstered opponents in the first half.
The Lakers came out on top at the first quarter's end, taking a 34-26 advantage. However, Memphis stormed back in the second behind valiant efforts from GG Jackson, Jak LaRavia, Jordan Goodwin and Scotty Pippen Jr., as all four scored over double digits before the first half.
There were six lead changes in what should have easily been a one-sided affair in the Lakers' favor. However, nine turnovers and the role players struggling to impact the game doomed LA's hopes of gaining a significant advantage early in the contest.
The halftime ended with the LA Lakers keeping a slim 68-64 lead after the Memphis Grizzlies trimmed it to one in the last few seconds.
The Grizzlies took the lead in the third quarter and went nine points (89-80) before the Lakers stormed back to restore order. However, only a point or two separated the teams for the rest of the contest.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis had to drop 30-apiece to get the Lakers over the hump after Austin Reaves, D'Angelo Russell and other role players had off nights.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies were kept afloat by GG Jackson's 31-piece, Jake LaRavia's 28 points and Scotty Pippen's 28 points. They fought well given the circumstances, but came up short after a lack of execution in the clutch. The inexperience showed in that stretch, but it was another memorable performance from the young Grizzlies.
The Lakers won the game 123-120.
LA Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Game Player Stats and Box Scores
LA Lakers Game Player Stats and Box Scores at halftime
Memphis Grizzlies Game Player Stats and Box Scores at halftime