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It was two unlikely heroes for the Los Angeles Lakers as they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1.
The Los Angeles Lakers recorded a 128-112 victory away against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of a first-round Western Conference match-up on Sunday, April 16, 2023.
The Grizzlies booked their place in the playoffs by finishing second in the Western Conference standings.
The Lakers on the other hand finished seventh but needed a LeBron James-inspired performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the play-in game to book their place in the postseason.
The Lakers started out hot with their duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis making shots early to establish a five-point lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Grizzlies responded to the early charge by James and Davis as they poured in 38 points in teh second quarter to erase the Lakers' advantage and take a six-point lead to the halftime break.
The Lakers caught fire in thr third quarter to put up 37 points and establish a six-point lead going to the final 12 minutes of action.
The Grizzlies would face an uphill task as star point guard Ja Morant suffered a hand injury after a collision on a charge with Davis.
He did not return to the game as the Lakers executed well in clutch time to record a 16-point blowout victory.
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Lakers rely on Reaves and Hachimura to beat Grizzlies
The Lakers have NBA All-time top scorer LeBron James as well as 75th team anniversary member Davis but the responsibility in closing time against the Grizzlies were shouldered by two of the youngest players on their roster.
Guard Austin Reaves and forward Rui Hachimura produced a masterful performance in the clutch to inspire the Lakers to a road win against the Grizzlies.
Reaves in his first career playoff game was given the responsibility of making clutch shots to win the game.
The 24-year-old put up 23 points, three rebounds, one steal, four assists, and one block in 31 minutes of action.
He made eight of his 13 shots including three of five from three-point range and was a perfect four from the free-throw line.
Reaves with two minutes to go in the game made a huge three and returned down to the floor for a floater to seal the Grizzlies' fate.
Hachimura on the other hand had his best game since the trade to the Lakers from the Washington Wizards.
The former lottery pick made shots early in the game to keep the Lakers attached as the Grizzlies tried to pull away.
Off the bench, Hachimura led the Lakers in scoring as he put up 29 points, six rebounds and one assist.
On efficient shooting, Hachmura was 11 of 14 from the field was red hot five of six from three-point range, and made both his free throws.
LeBron James in good form for Lakers against Grizzlies
NBA superstar LeBron James continues to add to a deep playoff resume in his 20th season.
James at 38years-old put up 21 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and three blocks in 34 minutes of action.
Delegating Reaves to close in the clutch, James made eight of his 16 shots, was three of eight from three-point range, and made two of his four free throws.
James and the Lakers will now aim to take two games on the road when they face the Grizzlies again on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.
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