Grizzlies Fall Apart Late, As Doncic and James Go for 30+.

Colin Rafferty –

Your Memphis Grizzlies lost last night to the Los Angeles Lakers 128-121.

It was going back and forth, but with the Lakers holding serve most of the game. The Grizzlies were able to tie things up going into the fourth quarter off the back of KCP who was lighting it up last night.

With about 5 minutes left in the game, Luka Doncic hit a fade away shot that put the Lakers up by three, this was followed by a turnover which led to a three by Vanderbilt, the Lakers were up by 6 and that was the game.

Frustrating as all get out, they had the win in their sights and let it slip away.

It seemed like all night that every time the Grizzlies would put together a run, they would inevitably throw the ball away or get nothing out of an offensive set; these would lead to the Lakers getting out in transition and either ballooning their lead or taking it back from the Grizz.

It was going to be a dog fight most of the game, due to the number of guys the Grizz have missing, but still they are in these games late they need to get on the right side for once.

The Grizzlies fall to 15-19 on the season and now only hold a half game lead over the Trailblazers for 9th in the West.

Jaren Jackson Jr. was the leading scorer for the Grizzlies last night posting 25 points. KCP had 20 pts and 5 rebounds off the bench.

Ja Morant finished the night with a double-double, 16 pts, 11 assists, 3 rebounds. A decent night, but one that I know eats at him because he does not like the Lakers, I don’t either Ja.

As for the rest of the starters, Jaylen, Cedric, and Christian Koloko combined for 14 points, that is just atrocious. I can live with Cedric having an off night, a rookie on the road, he has shown that he still needs to adjust on the road.

Koloko, I really don’t expect that much, he just signed another 10-day contract with the Grizzlies to keep him on while guys get back.

Jaylen though, 2-11 from the field, 2-8 from 3-point land, that was not a good performance. His defense was alright, but his shot wasn’t there.

The Grizz are too battered and beaten to have 3 starters contribute so little.

The bench came back alive though, after missing for a couple of games, one of the league’s best bench units showed up. Thank God they did, otherwise this would’ve gotten out of hand quickly.

There were a couple of lineups that were used that helped the Grizz claw back into the game after getting down by 15.

There was hope, but unfortunately when you play the “Lake-show” that’s what you get, their show.

Losing by 7 and the Lakers had 31 free-throws, 8 more than the Grizzlies. I am not saying that was the margin of victory, but they almost had 10 more attempts than the Grizz, some of those fouls were as soft as the Charmin in my bathroom.

The Grizzlies however did shoot 23 free-throws, only making 15. That is just lack of concentration, plain and simple.

These are professionals that shoot 300+ shots or more a day, how they cannot make more than 65% in a game is just confusing as the Grizz having less turnovers than the Lakers.

The turnovers they did have were untimely to say the least.

All-in-all it is always going to be difficult when the other team shoots nearly 60% from the field (58%) compounded with the Lakers hitting 87% of their free throws.

It was almost halfway through the second quarter, and the Lakers were shooting 70% from the field, that just cannot happen if the Grizzlies are serious about winning games.

Sure, there will be stretches where teams will hit a bunch of shots, but to allow them to go that long and be hitting that high is just unacceptable.

Especially when the Grizz has shown that they can play good defense, when they don’t this is the result.

Jaren Jackson Jr. was lucky he didn’t foul out; he had 5 fouls in the third. These goofy fouls are just irritating. It is like he will play like he did as a rookie, like he hasn’t been in the league for 7 years.

Quit swatting at guys that you aren’t defending and don’t get yourself into a compromising position because they will call it.

In addition to LeBron James’ 31 pt, 9 reb, 6 assist night, Luka Doncic added 34 pts, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds.

They were both helped by Jake LaRavia’s 21 pts, 9 rebs, and 2 assist night: yes, Grizz fans, that Jake LaRavia.

Some sort of revenge game thought fueled that man, he was active early and all over the court. Other than that, they just had some timely shots from guys like Jarred Vanderbilt, Marcus Smart, and Jaxson Hayes.

That was all the Lakers had, but it was more than enough for the Grizzlies to handle.

The Grizzlies will stay in Los Angeles today and will get ready for another game against the Lakers, inside the Crypto Arena (Staples Center) on Sunday.

This will be the last road game before coming back home for a four-game stand that will include the Spurs, Suns, Thunder, and Nets.