The Lakers had a few defensive lapses permitting the Grizzlies to have some hope for a comeback, however normally, the Lakers cruised to victory and dominated many of the recreation.
The win was spectacular not solely as a result of it was the group’s second street victory in a row, however as a result of they did it with Anthony Davis lacking the sport on account of a left knee hyperextension.
Los Angeles is now rolling and has gained 5 straight and are simply two video games behind the Phoenix Suns. They’ve the tiebreaker over the Suns and given their present kind, the Lakers can completely take the eighth seed if they’ll keep centered and beat the groups in entrance of them.
For now, let’s grade the win. As at all times, grades are primarily based on expectations for every participant. A “B” grade represents the typical efficiency for that participant.
Rui Hachimura
36 minutes, 32 factors, 10 rebounds, 1 help, 11-14 FG, 7-8 3PT, 3-4 FT, +35
Wednesday’s recreation must be the very best particular person efficiency in Hachimura’s profession. He had 32 factors, a career-high seven made 3-pointers, a pair of blocks and continued cleansing the glass with ten rebounds.
Certain, he’s had huge video games in greater moments, however 11-14 from the sphere with Davis out was not solely desired however vital.
Los Angeles wanted gamers to step up and Hachimura was one among many who answered the decision.
Grade: A+
LeBron James
35 minutes, 23 factors, 14 rebounds, 12 assists, 1 steal, 8-14 FG, 0-1 3PT, 7-11 FT, +33
Coming again after his one-game departure, LeBron was in good kind.
He picked his spots and paced himself, however solely LeBron may make a triple-double the place he leads the group in rebounds and assists appear to be an okay recreation.
With the Grizzlies threatening to get again into the competition, LeBron began the fourth and drove into the paint, imposing his will and attending to the foul line. He had the best plus-minus within the ultimate 12 minutes at +6 to safe the win for the purple and gold.
Grade: B+
Austin Reaves
35 minutes, 13 factors, 2 rebounds, 11 assists, 4-12 FG, 0-4 3PT, 5-5 FT, +31
Reaves had some fantastic lobs to Hayes and Bron within the first quarter, however after that, it was a pedestrian efficiency from him.
Not everybody can have an awesome recreation and possibly different gamers going off meant much less impression by Reaves. He didn’t have a foul recreation, but it surely wasn’t one to put in writing dwelling about both.
Grade: C+
Spencer Dinwiddie
25 minutes, 14 factors, 7 rebounds, 1 help, 4-7 FG, 3-4 3PT, 3-3 FT, -11
Dinwiddie returned to the bench with LeBron again and match effectively in that position versus the Grizzlies. He was higher offensively than in Tuesday’s Milwaukee recreation and whereas he didn’t provide you with a lot apart from a handful of buckets, it’s nearer to the sort of efficiency one can anticipate from Dinwiddie on this group.
Grade: C
D’Angelo Russell
29 minutes, 23 factors, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 7-16 FG, 5-9 3PT, 4-4 FT, +1
Russell’s 3-point taking pictures was his greatest contribution to the sport. It felt like every time Memphis was threatening to get again in it, he’d hit a well timed three to maintain them at bay.
Defensively, he was common, sloppy with the ball with 4 turnovers and was no assistance on the glass. Russell has been sharper most of March, so this recreation is one among his weaker all-around video games, though he was nonetheless a flamethrower from deep.
Grade: C+
Taurean Prince
23 minutes, 15 factors, 1 rebound, 1 help, 4-5 FG, 3-4 3PT, 4-6 FT, -3
Taurean was the prince and the pauper on Wednesday. He hit huge 3-Pointers within the second half to safe the consequence, however he was poor defensively and for each good play, you bought two bone-headed errors that reminded you why you’re not his greatest fan.
It was exhausting to decrease his minutes tonight with Davis out, however he would possibly want one much less shift shifting ahead.
Grade: C
Jaxson Hayes
31 minutes, 14 factors, 7 rebounds, 1 help, 6-7 FG, 2-2 FT, +6
This was one among Hayes’ finest video games in a Lakers uniform. With Davis out, he bought the beginning and was his ordinary environment friendly self, however not for a few shifts however for 31 minutes. He saved his power up all evening, grabbed seven rebounds, and ensured the impression of Davis’ absence was minimal.
If that is the sort of play the Lakers can get from Hayes, he must play extra the remainder of the best way.
Grade: A+
Cam Reddish
10 minutes, 0 factors, 0 rebounds, 0-2 FG, 0-1 3PT, -17
Reddish’s protection was unhealthy, however his offense was worse.
Sure, he’s getting back from harm, so some grace is required, however there isn’t any time for that. It is likely to be DNP time if Reddish can’t give Darvin Ham a motive to play him.
Grade: F
Harry Giles III, Max Christie
These two performed underneath seven minutes apiece. The shifts have been quick and never ample sufficient to offer out a grade.
Skylar Mays, Colin Castleton, Maxwell Lewis
All three made an look within the final 79 seconds to simply run out the clock, so grading this trio just isn’t potential.
Darvin Ham
General, a superb recreation from Ham. He referred to as timeouts when wanted, began Hayes, which labored effectively and restricted Prince and Reddish’s minutes.
The one space I feel may’ve used enchancment was in the course of the third quarter when the Grizzlies went on a 15-0 run. A timeout or adjustment was wanted sooner, however the lead was sufficiently big to face up to such a run and the group nonetheless cruised to victory within the fourth.
Grade: A
Tuesday’s DNPs: Harry Giles III, Maxwell Lewis
Wednesday’s inactives: Anthony Davis, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Christian Wooden, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt
You possibly can observe Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.