After making the game-tying layup with 0.8 seconds remaining in regulation and adding four of his 22 points in overtime, LeBron James helped the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 117-111 on Monday night to take a 3-1 series lead. For the best sports betting casinos of May 2023, make sure you stay on the Daddy!
In his 270th playoff game, James, 38, extended his own NBA record by pulling down a postseason-high 20 rebounds, adding seven assists, two blocks, and only one mistake. He became the first Lakers player since Shaquille O’Neal in 2004 to record 20 points and 20 rebounds in a playoff game.
For the seventh-seeded Lakers, who have won two consecutive home games and are on the verge of their first playoff series victory outside of the Florida bubble since 2012, Austin Reaves scored 23 points and Anthony Davis had five of his 17 points in overtime.
Los Angeles quickly overcame a seven-point deficit with five minutes remaining in regulation with a comeback that was sparked by three straight three-pointers from D’Angelo Russell. The Lakers never trailed in overtime.
Darvin Ham, the Lakers’ coach, said, “I’m so proud of our guys, the way we fought.”
Wednesday night in Memphis in Game 5.
Desmond Bane led the second-seeded Grizzlies with 36 points and a game-tying layup with 6.7 seconds left in regulation. To advance, the Grizzlies must overcome a 3-1 series deficit and win a Game 7 for the first time in their history.
Ja Morant scored 19 points despite having a right-hand injury, but Davis stopped his jump shot at the end of regulation. Following that, the Grizzlies missed six of their opening eight shots in overtime while making two crucial errors.
After calling James “old” after Game 2, Dillon Brooks had 11 points for Memphis before being sent home from Game 3 for elbowing James in the groin.
James calmly made the shot that forced overtime despite intense defensive pressure, then with 29.1 seconds left in overtime, he made a crucial layup while being fouled to give the Lakers a five-point lead. Austin Reaves and Dennis Schröder each made two free throws to give the Lakers their 12th victory in 15 games going back to the regular season.
The Lakers trailed for most of the second half, and Game 4’s Davis struggled with what seemed to be a hip ailment and needed a heating pad on the bench. But while Davis was defending the rim, the Lakers were successful. He blocked four attempts.
Morant’s 45 points in Game 3 weren’t enough to help the Grizzlies recover from an early 29-point deficit in his first game back after a right-hand injury layoff. During the second half of Game 4, he smashed the hand into the floor once more, but he continued to play and even dunked on Rui Hachimura just before the third-quarter horn sounded.
After a historically poor first quarter in Game 3, the Grizzlies fell down by an NBA record-tying 26 points, but they much improved their start in Game 4. Even so, the Lakers took an early 15-point lead before Memphis closed the half with a strong run to tie the game.
