Luka, LeBron, and LaRavia Light Up Banged Up Grizzlies, Drop Two Straight.

Colin Rafferty –

Your Memphis Grizzlies have now been swept in the season against the Los Angeles Lakers, losing last night 120-114.

The Grizzlies injury woe’s will add another to the already long list, as Cedric Coward, late in the first half, twisted his ankle coming down grabbing a rebound.

He would not been seen the rest of the game.

This was massive to the game; he had already put up 16 points and 8 rebounds and was the only Grizzlies player that looked like he had any life early.

He was all over the court and losing him pretty much sealed their fate, they just couldn’t muster enough up.

Well, that and the helpful hand of the officiating crew. You know it is bad when both Pete Pranica and Brevin Knight as yelling about it.

Those guys are as professional as professional gets, and even they couldn’t stand what was going on last night.

Is there any integrity in the officiating in these leagues anymore? I mean c’mon man, the Lakers shot 71 free-throws over two games.

41 in last night’s game; Luka almost getting half of his points from the line AGAIN, and the Lakers still had the audacity to try to lobby for more fouls and complained every time they got one called on them.

Additionally, the Lakers got away with all kinds of fouls early, which led to Jock Landale getting a technical, Santi Aldama barking at the refs, and a whole bunch of other goofy calls that intentionally looked like they were working for the Lakers, not the NBA.

It’s widespread at this point, but back in the day the Lakers were the only team getting treatment like this. Now, it’s OKC, it’s the Knicks, it’s whoever they want to push towards the top at this point.

The Grizzlies are beaten up, yes, but they had opportunities in both games to come out with a win.

By most team numbers, the Grizzlies were right in the game. They won the rebounding battle (47-45), had one less assist (29-30), had more steals (6-4), less turnovers (9-11), and more points in the paint (58-46).

That usually is an indication that they should’ve won.

The Lakers shot a little bit better, 48% from the field and only 27% from three.

Oh, but the Grizzlies committed 31 fouls to the Lakers 18, and there were plenty of non-calls. I don’t mind a tough physical game, but that was blatant by the crew last night to keep the Lakers in the game.

Both games ended similarly, Grizz fighting to keep it close, then the Lakers with about 2-3 minutes left hit everything and the Grizz can’t.

Jaylen Wells led the way scoring for the ‘Banged Up Bears’ posting 23 pts, Jock Landale added a double-double with 13 pts and 10 reb, along with Santi Aldama’s 12 pts, 10 reb, 7 assists night.

Santi had been listed as QUESTIONABLE going into the game, it was good that he was able to get out there and apply some pressure at times to the Lakers.

Cam Spencer has had a few bad shooting performances over the last couple of games; he was 0-5 from 3 and just 1-10 from the field.

Even when he isn’t hitting three’s he does have the ability to get in the lane and make a bucket or two, but it didn’t fall last night.

Ja Morant who was listed as QUESTIONABLE before the game was scratched due to a right calf contusion; I expect him to be back on Tuesday against the Spurs.

For the Lakers, they were led again by Luka Doncic who had 36 pts, 9 assists, and 7 reb. LeBron James added 26 pts, 10 assists, and 7 reb along with Jake LaRavia’s 26 pts, 5 reb, 4 assist night.

I will make no qualms about this, I didn’t like Jake LaRavia here in Memphis, and I really don’t like him now. Guy gets up for the Grizz game like we did him dirty, you weren’t that good dude, that’s why you were traded.

The Grizzlies had come out to a blistering start, snagging the lead in the first and holding it through the second to go into the half 65-54; but when Coward went down, we knew this might not continue this way.

It is really unfortunate but it’s true, they just can’t stay healthy, not even the rookies.

The Grizzlies now fall to 10th in the West, 0.5 games back of Portland, and more importantly to 15-20. Right after being on the cusp of .500 two times, they lose to the Washington Wizards…

I mean this is some sick joke, right? Where is Ashton Kutcher and his friends to tell me I’m being Punk’d.

Is there a punch line to this joke? I can’t see it, I just feel like I’m getting kicked in the balls… repeatedly.

Why Ced? He was the saving grace, he was the young guys we all believed in, he has all the looks of an NBA star.

He is expected to get an MRI to determine the severity of his sprained ankle, that doesn’t sound great.

There is hope that there will be good news coming from Edey in the coming days, at least an update on how he is progressing.

The Grizzlies will now come back home for a four-game home stretch, before going overseas to play the Magic in two international games.

Spurs, Suns, Thunder, and the Nets will all come into town over the next week.

Memphis we will need you to be loud and proud for these games.

Up first is the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, as they come off a loss to the Portland Trailblazers on January 3rd.