NBA Game Recap - Memphis at LA Lakers
Fri Feb 21, 2020 10:30 PM EST

CLE
113
WAS
108
F
DAL
122
ORL
106
F
PHO
101
TOR
118
F
IND
106
NY
98
F
DEN
101
OKC
113
F
BOS
127
MIN
117
F
SA
113
UTA
104
F
NO
128
POR
115
F
MEM
105
LAL
117
F

LA Lakers 117, Memphis 105

Feb 21, 2020, 10:30 PM EST

Final

1

2

3

4

T

Memphis

22

19

36

28

105

LA Lakers

28

32

24

33

117

Anthony Davis' big 2nd half leads Lakers past Grizz, 117-105
Sat Feb 22, 2020 2:38 AM

LOS ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Lakers hadn't even been back on the court for three minutes after the All-Star break when Anthony Davis limped off with an injured leg.

With their superstar big man in the locker room, the Lakers played an ominous quarter wondering whether their playoff push had just hit some massive resistance.

Instead, Davis got his legs back under him and put up a monster performance that reminded everybody why the Lakers are atop the West.

LeBron James scored 32 points, Davis recovered from that early scare to get 28 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocked shots, and Los Angeles returned from the break with a 117-105 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.

Davis bruised his right calf on an opponent's knee shortly after the opening tip. He has been slowed by several knocks that turned out to be minor throughout the season - and after several minutes of treatment, he returned to cheers in the second quarter.

"The leg felt good enough for me to go out and give it a try," Davis said with a shrug. "I just wanted to be on the floor to help the guys."

He found his formidable game after halftime, putting up 24 points along with 11 boards and five blocks in the second half. Davis also led the Lakers' interior defensive efforts against the Grizzlies, whose well-known ability to drive to the rim only resulted in 14 blocked shots by Los Angeles.

Davis had 14 points, seven rebounds and four blocks in the fourth quarter alone as Los Angeles improved to 42-12 with its fourth straight win since Feb. 6.

"Another Defensive Player of the Year-type of night from Anthony," coach Frank Vogel said. "He's the best defender in the league from a versatility standpoint. Especially against a team like this, where you have concerns about a basket-attacking guard like Ja Morant."

Avery Bradley added 14 points for the Western Conference-leading Lakers, who finished strong after blowing most of their 25-point lead accumulated in a superb first half.

"Give the Lakers a lot of credit," Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said. "They came out and just kind of punked us in that first half. We weren't ready to play in the first half. Proud of the guys to fight back, pick up our activity and win the third quarter. ... Overall, just one of those games where we didn't come ready to play, and we've got to learn from this."

Josh Jackson scored a season-high 20 points for the Grizzlies, who have lost back-to-back games in California after heading into the All-Star break with eight wins in 10.

"A lot of defensive guys threw different looks at me," said Morant, who scored 17 points. "It's just what they do. I feel like everybody knows those guys are great defenders, but I still try to attack the game the same way. Tonight I missed layups. Missed a wide-open pull-up. Made some shots, and forced some. I could have been better."

The Grizzlies erased most of LA's lead with a strong third quarter, but the Lakers hung on with a series of big plays, including a jaw-dropping rebound dunk by Alex Caruso off a missed free throw by Davis with 6:16 to play.

The Lakers improved to 3-0 against the Grizzlies this season. They meet again in Memphis on Feb. 29.

TIP-INS

Grizzlies: Memphis signed G Dusty Hannahs to a 10-day contract before the game. He leads the Grizzlies' G League affiliate with 21.3 points per game this season, and he appeared in two games for Memphis earlier this season. ... Gorgui Dieng had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Lakers: Vogel and the team declined to comment on multiple reports claiming the team will release center DeMarcus Cousins to clear a roster spot. Cousins hasn't played for the Lakers after tearing a ligament in his knee in August, but he had been rehabbing with hopes of returning for the playoffs. Cousins was in the Lakers' locker room before the game, but didn't sit with the team on the bench.

INJURED JACKSON

Jaren Jackson Jr. didn't play in the second half due to knee soreness from an awkward fall in the first half. Jenkins had no postgame update on the starting forward's condition, but the Grizzlies have the next two days off.

QUICK START

Although James, Davis and Dwight Howard were busy in Chicago over the break, the Lakers returned with impressive defensive focus across the roster. Los Angeles held Memphis to 15-for-38 shooting and forced 11 turnovers in the first half.

RESCHEDULED GAME

The game against the Clippers that was postponed by Kobe Bryant's death will be made up April 9. The NBA also rescheduled two additional Lakers games, and the moves mean they'll have to play at home on three consecutive nights in early April, just one week before the start of the postseason.

"We may stagger some of the guys that play," Vogel said. "Some guys may not play in all three games. We'll have those conversations as we get closer to those games and see what the standings look like."

UP NEXT

Grizzlies: Stay in town to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.

Lakers: Host the Boston Celtics on Sunday.

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Leaders

Memphis PTS +/- AST REB ST BLK
J. Jackson 20 3 0 3 0 0
J. Morant 17 -6 3 1 0 0
LA Lakers PTS +/- AST REB ST BLK
L. James 32 6 7 3 0 2
A. Davis 28 11 4 13 1 7

Team Comparison

MEM LAL
Points For 105 117
Field Goals 42/92-46% 41/86-48%
Three Pointers 5/15-33% 9/29-31%
Free Throws 16/31-52% 26/40-65%
Offensive Rebounds 16 12
Defensive Rebounds 34 37
Rebounds 63 61
Blocks 1 14
Steals 9 9
Turnovers 16 14
Points Scored Off Turnovers 27 21
Points in the Paint 64 52
Fast Break Points 22 23
Personal Fouls 27 24
Technical Fouls 1 3
Flagrant Fouls 0 0
Ejections 0 0

2019-20 Reg Season - LAL Leads Series 3-0

Date Result Away Pts Ldr Home Pts Ldr
Tue Oct 29 MEM 91 @ LAL 120 J. Morant 16 A. Davis 40
Sat Nov 23 LAL 109 @ MEM 108 L. James 30 J. Morant 26
Fri Feb 21 MEM 105 @ LAL 117 J. Jackson 20 L. James 32

Game Information

Stadium: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Attendance: 18,997
Game Time: 2:22