The new-look Los Angeles Lakers faced a big test on Monday in Game 4 against the Memphis Grizzlies with a chance to go up 3-1 in the series. It was a gut-check game: There were multiple instances in which it looked like they would likely lose.
After giving up the first six points of the contest, Los Angeles took control toward the end of the first quarter and took a 53-38 lead deep in the second quarter. But a run by Memphis just before halftime trimmed the Lakers’ lead to two at intermission, and from then on it was a test of survival and who wanted it more.
The third and fourth quarters were a slugfest, as the Lakers found themselves trying to overcome a modest deficit. But multiple big plays down the stretch at both ends of the floor resulted in a hard-fought 117-111 win in overtime and a 3-1 series lead. The Lakers reached back and found that they had more grit than the team that used to be nicknamed “grit and grind,” as they won this one the ugly way.
This was likely the biggest, most hotly contested and most exciting playoff win the team has had at home dating to 2010, the last time it won the NBA championship during a postseason in which games were played at Crypto.com Arena (then known as Staples Center). It was the type of playoff win that helps a team reach “adulthood.” Now the Lakers will have the opportunity to get past the first round for only the second time since 2012 with a win in Game 5 in Memphis.
Anthony Davis: C-plus
This was a very poor offensive outing for Davis. He scored two points in the first half, missing all five of his shots as the Grizzlies swarmed him without the ball and fronted him at times. He was held without a basket in the first half of a playoff game for the first time in his career, and he ended up with just 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
However, Davis’ effort defensively and on the boards was very solid. He had a game-saving block on Ja Morant at the end of regulation to force overtime, and he scored the first basket of the extra period on a layup off an unforced turnover by Memphis. In all, he finished with 11 rebounds, four blocked shots and two steals, and, once again, he proved that he is an impact player even when he’s struggling offensively.
Jarred Vanderbilt: A
Vanderbilt had the best game he has put forth in some time. He scored the Lakers’ first seven points, and he blocked two early shots, one of which led to a fast-break layup by him. With Memphis leaving him open from 3-point range, as most teams do, he made his first two shots from that distance to help get their offense going.
Defensively, he helped prevent Ja Morant from going off early, as the Grizzlies superstar went just 3-of-9 in the first half and 8-of-24 overall. Vanderbilt blocked three shots and grabbed six rebounds in 20 minutes in an excellent effort.
LeBron James: A-minus
James got off to a slow start. He didn’t attempt a shot until late in the first quarter, but he came on strongly afterward, not just offensively but also defensively. He blocked two shots in the second quarter, and he forced two charging fouls on Morant, including one with 2:24 left in the fourth quarter.
James then scored the layup that forced overtime near the end of regulation, as he took the ball to the basket instead of settling for a jumper as he often does in such situations. The all-time leading career scorer sealed the win with a driving layup while getting fouled with 29.4 seconds remaining in overtime.
This wasn’t a very efficient game for James — he shot 8-of-18 from the field and 1-of-7 from beyond the arc, giving him 22 points. But he dished off seven assists and grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds, and despite playing 45 minutes, he didn’t look any more tired in crunch time than anyone else on the court.
Simply put, this was a clutch performance from James that came when his team badly needed it.
D'Angelo Russell: B
Russell had a bad start, shooting 1-of-5 from the floor in the first half. But he warmed up afterward, hitting three baskets in succession early in the third period, and he came through when the Lakers badly needed him to by knocking down three straight 3-pointers to help them fight back from a 97-90 fourth-quarter deficit to take the lead.
Unfortunately, Russell fouled out with 1:45 to go in regulation, but he did his job, leaving with 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting and 3-of-8 from downtown, plus three assists. It was the first time he had shot over 45% in a playoff game in his three postseason appearances.
Austin Reaves: A
Just as he did in Game 1, Reaves was big for Los Angeles. He picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter, forcing him to the bench, but he came through down the stretch with seven fourth-quarter points.
He finished with a team-high 23 points, scoring them from all over the court and from the free throw line, where he went 7-of-8. He also added six assists and four rebounds.
Rui Hachimura: C-minus
Hachimura finally came down to earth after three excellent games to start this series. He shot 2-of-9 from the field, but he did get six rebounds in 26 minutes to help the Lakers’ cause.
Troy Brown Jr.: B
Brown gave the Lakers some production in 22 minutes off the bench, scoring six points on 3-of-5 shooting and adding four rebounds and an assist. At one point in the second quarter, he took Morant off the dribble to the basket for a layup, something that isn’t expected from him, as he’s mainly a 3-point shooter.
Dennis Schroder: B-plus
Schroder was somewhat of a spark plug off the bench, going 3-of-5 from the field and hitting all six of his free throws to score 12 points in 30 minutes. He also played some very nice defense, recording two blocks and two steals while shadowing the Grizzlies’ ballhandlers as they brought the ball up court.
Malik Beasley: C
Beasley got into the game for nine minutes, and he was just 1-of-4, hitting a 3-pointer early in the second quarter.
