Lakers reduced to third straight loss by Grizzlies 98-96
The Lakers could not save themselves from falling face down on the ground as Grizzlies attacked them at the FedEx Forum, Memphis.
Lakers were thankful for not receiving any life threats as they saw a “Get back on track” written on their dressing room board. Now that they have lost the game we know what will be written on their next board. Evil laugh... Let’s better keep our imaginations
from running wild.
Grizzlies scared Lakers all the way down and took relief only when they handed them their third straight defeat. The already heart-broken Lakers had the word “disappointment” written all over their faces as they stood there watching their game winning persona
being torn out into a thousand macro shreds at the claws of the Grizzlies.
Mike Conley was one of the most dangerous Grizzlies who smelled each prey from a distance and went after him. Conley quenched his thirst by scoring his season high 28 points in the fourth quarter of the game.
Zach Randolph scored 13 points and eight rebounds for Memphis Grizzlies. Xavier Henry added 12; Marc Gasol contributed 10 and also grabbed nine rebounds. O.J. Mayo scored 11 points off the bench.
Game stats:
The lead changed 17 times and the score got tied 13 times, thus keeping the audience at the edge of their seats. Marc Gasol made a three point play that gave the Grizzlies lead with 3:18 left in the first half. Grizzlies were leading at halftime with 51-49.
They opened the third quarter with a 13-4 run that Conley started by making consecutive baskets.
Rudy g*y showed great defence as he blocked the shots and later Ron Artest was praising him as he said, “It was well-executed. I learned something from that today…That was great execution. His close out was perfect … He closed out, chopped his feet a little
bit. Stayed low, didn’t go totally for the head fake and recovered.”
g*y scored 14 points and gave his teammates the credit for helping Mayo on defending Bryant’s shots. Bryant wanted to have a broader look at the end of the game but Grizzlies wouldn’t let him. g*y is known for his scoring contributions but he was content
on playing defence this time.
“The type of defensive-minded team we are here in Memphis, the sky is the limit. We all have aspirations of the playoffs. You have to play defensively every night,” g*y said later.
With 6:29 left in the second quarter, Lakers got their biggest lead of the game at 43-37 because of a 3 pointer that was given by Artest.
Bryant scored the game high 29 points; alas he was 9 of 25 from the floor that included a 1 of 6 outside the arc. Gasol scored 15 points and grabbed 14 rebounds and everyone enjoyed as he was seen playing against his own little brother most of the time.
The Lakers coach would not call a timeout because he liked to see Bryant running down to get an open shot.
“I went middle and I had the shot that I wanted, but I lost the handle on the ball while I was going up, so I kicked it to Ron,” explained Bryant. “Ron took a dribble and shot.”
Lakers succeeded in taking the lead at the end of third quarter 70-65. At the start of fourth quarter, Greivis Vasquez had a three pointer and Sam Young clinched his two free throws that produced a quick edge for the Grizzlies and gave them another big lead
of the game 78-65.
Lakers were given a golden chance so that they could either tie the game at the end or win it but they missed the opportunity.
Coming up:
For the Lakers: Wednesday @ Houston, Friday vs. Sacramento, Tuesday vs. Washington.
For the Grizzlies: Wednesday @ Atlanta, Friday vs. Houston, Sunday @ Denver.
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