The Los Angeles Lakers secured their third consecutive victory in the NBA In-Season Tournament on Tuesday night. The Lakers, led by the dynamic duo of D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Davis, triumphed over the Memphis Grizzlies with a convincing scoreline of 134-107.
BIG WIN. pic.twitter.com/wcK7FfPubh
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 15, 2023
D’Angelo Russell, showcasing his scoring prowess, contributed a significant 24 points to the Lakers. His performance was a key factor in the Lakers offensive dominance throughout the game.
Complementing Russell’s scoring, Anthony Davis put forth a well-rounded performance. He scored 19 points, demonstrating his offensive capabilities. However, it was his work on the defensive end that truly stood out. Davis dominated the boards, pulling down 11 rebounds and 6 blocked.
In the recent match that added another feather to the Lakers’ cap, LeBron James, delivered a remarkable performance. Despite being on the court for a relatively short span of just 23 minutes, he managed to score an impressive 16 points and secured 9 rebounds.
This performance by LeBron James was instrumental in the Lakers’ victory, which marked their first comfortable win of the season. The victory was even more significant as it was achieved on their home court, maintaining their flawless record at home games with a 5-0 standing.
Austin Reaves had a standout performance in the game. He managed to score 16 points, secured 12 rebounds, and provided seven assists. Notably, he made four out of the Lakers’ 22 3-pointers.
Russell also made a significant contribution to the Lakers’ game by successfully landing six out of the team’s 22 3-pointers. This achievement tied the franchise record, highlighting Russell’s exceptional performance.
The Lakers shot 62.9% from three, the highest 3-PT FG% in a game with at least 35 attempts in NBA history 👏 pic.twitter.com/Ddx0uHGuzj
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 15, 2023
The Lakers’ shooting skill was remarkable in this game, especially considering their struggles in the first 10 games of the season. They managed to turn the tide against the Memphis Grizzlies, hitting 58% of their shots. Where they hit an astounding 62.9% of their 3-point attempts. In addition to their offensive success, the Lakers also dominated the boards, outrebounding the Grizzlies 54-33.
LeBron James, reflecting on the team’s performance, expressed his thoughts. He emphasized the importance of collective contribution when the team is performing exceptionally well.
“No one wants to be the player who is struggling when the team is demonstrating excellent shooting skills. Everyone wants to contribute and be a part of the success.”
He further acknowledged the team’s outstanding shooting performance that night, saying, “Tonight was definitely a great shooting night for us.” He also expressed his satisfaction with the victory, adding, “It was a good win for us.”
Rui Hachimura, delivered an exceptional performance. He scored a total of 23 points, more than half of which (12 points) were scored in the crucial fourth quarter. This contribution was significant for the Lakers, a team that had previously struggled to secure a win by more than six points in any game.
The Lakers, in this game, managed to build a substantial lead of 31 points over the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half. The Grizzlies were at a disadvantage, being short-handed for this match. The substantial lead allowed the Lakers to comfortably coast to victory.
LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and D’Angelo Russell – to sit out the entire fourth quarter, a strategic move that allowed them to rest. Hachimura’s impactful performance not only contributed to the team’s victory but also provided valuable rest time for the key players.
Rui Hachimura, reflecting on the game, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance.
“We had numerous good opportunities, and we were successful in converting them.”
Hachimura further elaborated on the strategic advantage that the Lakers possess due to the presence of star players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He noted, “Especially with LeBron and AD attracting most of the attention from the opposing defenses, it creates opportunities for other players.”
Santi Aldama of the Memphis Grizzlies put forth a commendable performance, scoring a career-high 24 points.
However, the Grizzlies faced a setback as they lost two more players due to injuries. The loss of these players added to the challenges the Grizzlies were facing.
Despite their surprise win over the Clippers on Sunday, the Grizzlies were unable to secure their third victory of the season.
SHOWTIME LAKERS pic.twitter.com/3WqAhEIybh
— Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) November 15, 2023
James, in his recent statement, acknowledged that his shin injury hasn’t completely healed and is “not 100%”. Despite this, he expressed his determination and readiness to play, stating it’s “still good enough to go out there”.
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