Lakers and Grizzlies Set for Second Meeting in Two Nights

Two nights after the Los Angeles Lakers secured a victory over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies, the two teams will face off again on Sunday in Los Angeles. The Lakers’ win was fueled by standout performances from their star players, including Luka Doncic, who scored 34 points, and LeBron James, who contributed 31 points. Additionally, Jake LaRavia provided a crucial boost to the team with a 21-point, nine-rebound game against his former squad.

LaRavia’s strong performance came as he took advantage of an opportunity to start, following injuries to Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves. Marcus Smart also stepped up, starting the game and contributing 13 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. James praised both LaRavia and Smart for setting the tone for the Lakers.

“It started with Jake; he was locked in from the beginning,” James said. “Marcus on both ends of the floor, obviously taking the challenge of guarding Ja (Morant). Those two guys set the tone for us. We needed it.”

LaRavia, who began his career with the Grizzlies in the 2022-23 season, had only made six starts in 117 games over three seasons with the team. This season, he has started 11 of 32 games with the Lakers. His performance against the Grizzlies was notable, as he shot 8 of 12 from the field and 3 of 6 from beyond the arc.

“I got going pretty early and the ball was finding me,” LaRavia said. “I was able to get going and stay aggressive and I finally knocked down some shots, so that felt good. I have to continue to trust my shot.”

The Lakers are currently working through a tough stretch of the season, having lost four of their last five games. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are struggling with a three-game losing streak, which is their longest since a five-game skid in mid-November.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 25 points on 12-of-15 shooting, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 20 points. Ja Morant contributed 16 points and 11 assists, marking his fourth consecutive game played. This is his longest streak of games since playing five straight from November 3 to 11.

“Overall, shot quality was a little too high for the Lakers,” Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo said. “I was happy that we were able to force turnovers and generate transition baskets that way.”

The Grizzlies forced 20 turnovers from the Lakers, converting them into 27 points. This marked the second consecutive game where Los Angeles had at least 20 turnovers. Jackson committed his fifth foul with 1:27 remaining in the third quarter and played more than eight minutes in the fourth quarter, showing hesitation on defense.

In the end, the Grizzlies were unable to stop a late 12-2 run by the Lakers, which left them trailing 121-112 with 1:57 remaining on the clock. LaRavia’s 3-pointer with 2:26 remaining was a key moment in the Lakers’ surge.

“They made a couple of shots. There was a huge (3-pointer) from LaRavia at the end of the shot clock, for example,” Iisalo said. “I thought we got some good looks but couldn’t convert in that situation and that, a lot of times, is the difference.”

Following Sunday’s game, the Grizzlies will return home for a series of four consecutive home games and will play seven of nine games at home through January 25.

Key Takeaways from the Game

• Jake LaRavia’s Performance: LaRavia’s 21-point, nine-rebound game was crucial for the Lakers, especially with key players sidelined.
• Lakers’ Struggles: The Lakers are dealing with a tough stretch, having lost four of their last five games.
• Grizzlies’ Slump: The Grizzlies are on a three-game losing streak, their longest since mid-November.
• Turnovers and Transition Play: The Grizzlies forced 20 turnovers, leading to 27 points, but were unable to maintain momentum.
• Late Run by Lakers: A 12-2 run by the Lakers in the final minutes sealed the victory, with LaRavia hitting a critical 3-pointer.

Upcoming Schedule

• Grizzlies: After Sunday’s game, the Grizzlies will return home for a series of four consecutive home games and will play seven of nine games at home through January 25.