The Memphis Grizzlies staved off elimination for at least one contest when they ran away with a 116-99 victory in Game 5 over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.
They started fast, building a 17-point lead in the second quarter. Although Anthony Davis and company cut that advantage to one in the third quarter, the Grizzlies flexed and rebuilt it soon afterward, leaving the Lakers disappointed.
Buy Lakers TicketsThe Grizzlies are one of the feistiest and chippiest teams in the NBA, and they’re never shy about expressing their feelings. Big man Xavier Tillman Sr. said the team is going to “come back for Game 7 for sure,” referring to a winner-take-all contest that would take place in Memphis if necessary (h/t Lakers Daily).
"We'll come back for Game 7 for sure!"
– Xavier Tillman 👀
(Via @DamichaelC) pic.twitter.com/nAPRp0Sv7x
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 27, 2023
Guard Desmond Bane, who led Memphis in scoring with 33 points and had his second straight 30-plus outing, backed Tillman’s bold statement.
Desmond Bane: “I said it out there and I’ll say it again. We are going to be back for a Game 7 in front of the best fans in the NBA.”
— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) April 27, 2023
The Lakers contributed to their own disappointment by going cold late in the third quarter and in the fourth quarter. They started settling for outside shots and finished the game shooting just 40.2% overall and 25.6% from 3-point range. LeBron James, in particular, struggled mightily, going just 5-of-17 from the field and turning the ball over five times.
Game 6 will be at Crypto.com Arena on Friday evening.
