LOS ANGELES — The L.A. Lakers threw the first punch. And the Memphis Grizzlies couldn’t recover.
Using an 18-2 run to start the first quarter, the Lakers cruised to a 111-101 Game 3 victory to take a 2-1 series lead over the Grizzlies on Saturday night at the Crypto.com Arena.
Anthony Davis was at the forefront of the purple and gold assault, scoring 31 points and 17 rebounds while hitting 11-of-24 shots from the field.
Meanwhile, LeBron James had his usual all-around fare with 25 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. DeAngelo Russell and Austin Reaves combined for 30 points and 13 assists.
“I didn’t make a statement,” said James, downplaying his ongoing “beef” with Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks. “We had the opportunity to come home and play well on our home floor, and we did that.”
The Grizzlies, on the other hand, struggled mightily, shooting just 37.6 percent from the field (35-of-93) and 33.3 percent from long distance (13-of-39).
But the superstar point guard made a valiant effort with 45 points and 13 assists. At one stretch in the fourth quarter, Morant scored 22 consecutive points to put Memphis within close distance to etch an epic comeback.
It just wasn’t enough.
“I think we won by double digits in the last three quarters, so obviously that first quarter pretty much hurt us. I feel pretty good. Obviously, some stuff you just got to play through and tolerate,” Morant told reporters.
Game 4 returns to the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Monday (Tuesday AM Philippine time). (HM)
