At final, the Lakers have been capable of pair a powerful defensive displaying with even simply an above-average offensive sport on Sunday. The end result was one in all their finest wins of the season, knocking off the Grizzlies, who had gained 10 of their final 11 video games.
After head coach JJ Redick known as Friday the crew’s finest defensive sport of the 12 months, the Lakers returned dwelling and fully shut down the Grizzlies’ offense. Memphis shot simply 39.2% from the sector and 32.1% from the 3-point line whereas turning the ball over 20 occasions.
The one damaging on the evening on that finish was the 30 free throws Memphis shot due to 27 Lakers fouls, permitting the guests to remain within the sport. Still, the lead by no means acquired to even inside two possessions within the fourth quarter because the Lakers did sufficient to carry off Memphis for his or her finest win at the least because the starting of the season and maybe the season general.
So, let’s dive into the win. As all the time, grades are based mostly on expectations for every participant. A “B” grade represents the typical efficiency for that participant.
Rui Hachimura
38 minutes, 8 factors, 6 rebounds, 1 help, 1 steal, 1 block, 2-5 FG, 0-1 3PT, 4-6 FT, +13
After gaining a status as a Grizzlies killer, Rui did it in another way on Sunday. While it was a fairly mundane sport offensively, that was maybe his finest sport of the 12 months defensively.
Matched up in opposition to a Grizzlies frontcourt that isn’t fairly as quick, Rui excelled on that finish. He was energetic — possibly a bit an excessive amount of with 5 fouls — and was an vital a part of the crew’s success defensively.
Grade: B+
LeBron James
34 minutes, 18 factors, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 7-17 FG, 3-6 3PT, 1-4 FT, +0
After eight days off and a lot of the final week spent away from the crew, LeBron returned and appeared very refreshed originally of the sport. He flew out of the gates on each ends and actually set a tone.
After that, he light into the background and let AD do the work. Still, he got here up with an enormous bucket late and had three shares on the evening, too. A stable return to the courtroom.
Grade: B+
Anthony Davis
33 minutes, 40 factors, 16 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 15-22 FG, 1-4 3PT, 9-12 FT, +14
Welcome again, MVP AD.
Something about taking part in Memphis and Jaren Jackson Jr. actually fires up AD. He was dominant from the beginning and scored 40 regardless of lacking a piece of the second half with a shoulder stinger.
There additionally couldn’t have been a funnier approach to attain 40 factors than the final dunk late.
Grade: A+
Max Christie
29 minutes, 7 factors, 2 rebounds, 1 help, 1 block, 1-3 FG, 1-2 3PT, 4-4 FT, +7
For the primary time in eight video games spanning over two weeks, the Lakers had every of LeBron, AD, Rui and Austin Reaves out there. With Knecht slumping, the query of who the fifth starter can be was broached pregame.
Redick stated he needed a point-of-attack defender who might additionally complement the opposite 4 offensively, mainly forecasting Christie being the fifth starter.
For one evening at the least, it appeared nice. Christie had an outstanding defensive sport, usually matched up in opposition to Ja Morant and serving to maintain him to 6-21 capturing.
He’s the right combination of the protection Reddish introduced and the offense Knecht introduced…when he’s taking part in properly. Hopefully, that’s for an prolonged time now.
Grade: A-
Austin Reaves
36 minutes, 19 factors, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 6-15 FG, 2-8 3PT, 5-5 FT, +11
After struggling a bit in his return on Friday, Reaves appeared again to his previous self on Sunday. He did a little bit of each scoring and playmaking on offense, as he sometimes does. His shot wasn’t falling from vary however he made 4 of his seven contained in the arc.
Defensively, although, he helped maintain Desmond Bane quiet as he had simply seven factors on eight photographs.
Grade: A-
D’Angelo Russell
17 minutes, 7 factors, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2-7 FG, 2-6 3PT, 1-2 FT, -7
The break within the schedule couldn’t have come at a worse time for D’Lo. After wanting nice in opposition to the Blazers, Russell has struggled the final two video games.
He completed 4-17 from the sector, 3-13 from the arc and a -15 mixed in opposition to Minnesota and Memphis. Hopefully, one other week off re-resets(?) him to his pre-break type.
Grade: D
Gabe Vincent
14 minutes, 3 factors, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1-3 FG, 1-3 3PT, -3
Out of the beginning lineup, Vincent appeared again to his previous, irritating self. His previous make was an off-balance 3-pointer he banked in.
He introduced it defensively, however, yeah, it’s the identical tune and dance. He can’t produce at this stage and stay within the rotation.
Grade: D-
Dalton Knecht
13 minutes, 5 factors, 3 rebounds, 2-4 FG, 0-2 3PT, 1-2 FT, -2
Knecht is totally in a funk at this level and his minutes replicate that. Sunday was the fewest minutes he’s performed because the begin of November.
I’ve confidence he’ll get away of it will definitely, however till he does, his minutes will solely go down.
Grade: D
Christian Koloko
12 minutes, 1 level, 1-2 FT, -11
The first half minutes from Koloko have been good on Sunday. The second half minutes when AD left with an damage weren’t. Memphis’ dimension actually impacted Koloko as Zach Edey had his method on the rim.
Grade: D
Cam Reddish
14 minutes, 8 factors, 2 rebounds, 1 help, 2 steals, 3-6 FG, 0-2 3PT, 2-2 FT, +8
On one hand, this was a powerful defensive sport from Reddish. He chipped in some factors offensive in addition to a cutter and even drew a foul on a pull-up jumper.
On the opposite hand, he had probably the most insane shot of his time in Los Angeles with a crossover step-back 3-pointer within the first half. If he’d been benched in that second, I wouldn’t have even argued it.
Grade: C+
JJ Redick
The beginning lineup points form of figured themselves out on their very own. Obviously, introducing LeBron helps tremendously however deciding on Christie felt like the neatest possibility.
Still, loads of coaches don’t make the good and simple decide. Some maintain their palms of their pockets and bury Christie on the bench for the entire season. Theoretically.
Grade: B+
Sunday’s DNPs: Bronny James, Maxwell Lewis, Quincy Olivari
Sunday’s inactives: Jalen Hood-Schifino, Armel Traore, Christian Wood, Jaxson Hayes, Jarred Vanderbilt
You can comply with Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.
