Grizz fall late to plummeting Lakers

Posted on April 2, 2017 by Carmen Patton

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The Memphis Grizzlies had an early afternoon game in Los Angeles today against the Lakers. The Grizzlies were without Marc Gasol (foot), JaMychal Green (shoulder), Andrew Harrison (ankle), and Vince Carter (rest). Chandler Parsons, who is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury but rehabbing on the West Coast, was on the bench with the team. This afternoon’s game came after a home win on Friday that clinched the playoffs for the Grizz for the 7th straight season. The Lakers were on a four game skid, have won few games since the All Star Break, got pummeled by the Clippers yesterday, and took Luol Deng and Timofey Mozgov out of their rotation weeks ago. So, surely the Grizz couldn’t lose to a team that’s intentionally trying to lose? Could and did. The final score was 108-103.

What the Grizz Did

If you didn’t get a chance to catch the game, don’t spend a lot of time studying the stat sheet. There’s one stat that led to this loss: rebounds. Everywhere else, the Grizz were pretty solid. Take these same stats on any other day without the rebounding debacle and the Grizz win.

Mike Conley got going late, scoring 14 of his 20 points (6-17) in the second half. Conley also had 12 assists. Conley went 4 of 11 from three, hitting all four in the second half, but unfortunately missed a game tying three with 6.3 seconds left.

Brandan Wright also had another effective scoring game in the starting center role. He played nearly 32 minutes and scored 16 points (7-10). He secured 3 rebounds and had 2 assists.

SO MANY LOBS. #GrindCity pic.twitter.com/xR8JEJzaeS

— FOX Sports Grizzlies (@GrizzliesOnFSSE) April 2, 2017

Troy Daniels played 30 minutes off the bench and also scored 20 points (7-13; 6-11 from three). He scored 14 points in the first half. He also chipped in 3 assists.

Of the eight Grizzlies players that played, all but two scored in double digits. James Ennis III started and had 14 points (5-10), 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Tony Allen had 13 points (6-8), 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Allen was allowed to run the offense even when Conley was in the game at times. Zach Randolph (6-16) had 13 points off the bench.

The TA/ZBo connection comes to LA. #GrindCity pic.twitter.com/An8uI7be5q

— FOX Sports Grizzlies (@GrizzliesOnFSSE) April 2, 2017

Rookies Wayne Selden (started) and Wade Baldwin IV scored 5 and 2 points, respectively.

The Grizzlies connected on more shots (50 percent), attempted and made more threes (43.3 percent), had more assists (29 on 40 made shots) and blocked more shots (5) than the Lakers. The Lakers, however, had 51 rebounds compared to just 33 for the Grizzlies. The Lakers had 25 second chance points; the Grizz had 6. THAT is what made the difference.

"We had our opportunities we just didn't take care of business." – Coach Fizz on the @memgrizz loss to the Lakers. #Grindcity pic.twitter.com/TjR95dA3G9

— FOX Sports Grizzlies (@GrizzliesOnFSSE) April 2, 2017

What the Lakers Did

In addition to dominating on the glass, the Lakers also had six players to score in double figures. Three of those six players (Randle, Nance Jr, Robinson) had a double double.

D’Angelo Russell led all scorers with 28 points, 5 assists and 6 rebounds.

Julius Randle had 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Larry Nance Jr. started and played longer than anyone else at just over 40 minutes and had 12 points and a career high 14 rebounds.

Brandon Ingram had 13 points and 3 rebounds.

Thomas Robinson came off the bench playing right at 20 minutes and had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Tyler Ennis contributed 11 points off the bench.

What’s Next

The Grizz have their last road game of the regular season on Tuesday against their likely playoff opponent, the San Antonio Spurs. The Grizz are currently the 7th seed, 1.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder in 6th and 3.5 games ahead of the Portland Trailblazers in 8th.

Tuesday’s game tips off at 7:30 CST.