The Lakers needed a victory over the grizzlymen like a fish need water, so it’s a good thing they have done.
It was a difficult match with eight different head changes, but the Lakers withdrew halfway from the fourth and never looked back.
The three tall people of Austin Reaves, LeBron James and Luka Dončić had their best match as a trio in a certain time, marking 85 points and going 24-26 from the Lencrès Francs line.
With victory in hand, the Lakers are now a full match in front of the grizzly ones in the standings and have had the equality break on Memphis since they won the series of season 3-1.
On Monday, they can even the season series against the Rockets, winning the field on the head No. 2 in the west. But more about this later, for the moment, it is time to analyze this victory.
So let’s dive into victory. As always, the notes are based on the expectations of each player. A note “B” represents the average performance of this player.
Rui Hachimura
28 minutes, 13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 5-8 FG, 3-5 3pt, -3
After missing the previous competition to rest the injury to the left -wing rotulian tendinopathy with which he was faced, Rui seemed good and played his usual 28 minutes, which seems to be the greatest current restriction.
Offensively, he spaced the soil and overturned his open sweaters and on the defensive, he did not provide much, except a nice block on JA MORANT in the fourth quarter.
Grade: B
LeBron James
37 minutes, 25 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 interceptions, 1 block, 10-21 FG, 2-5 3pt, 3-4 ft, -1
LeBron has had his best match since returning from his tension to the groin. He looked much more comfortable shooting in depth, was active in the defense, striking flights and pulled the line.
He always had problems inside, but it was a step in the right direction and it is always better to leave victory and have room to improve.
Grade: B-
Jaxson Hayes
17 minutes, 2 points, 5 rebounds, 1-1 FG, +3
There was no attempt for Hayes to be offensively on Saturday evening. Now Memphis had something to do with it, but it seemed to me that Luka, Austin and Lebrin did not look much during the actions of Pick-And-Roll.
Hayes has always found ways to be a hard -hitting player, striking rebounds and forcing switches, which is why he was one of the only two starters with one more positive in this game.
Grade: C +
Luka Dončić
38 minutes, 29 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 interceptions, 8-18 FG, 2-9 3pt, 11-12 ft, +11
The great thing about Luka is that he is relentless. Even when his sweater is off, he will continue to attack the defense and find ways to hit their resistance.
Against the Grizzlies, he did it by scoring inside, making 11 of the 12 free throws and distributing nine assists. Even a game of Luka not great is good enough and if it is its general base, it is a superb standard on which a team can count.
Grade: B +
Austin Reaves
37 minutes, 31 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 flight, 1 block, 8-16 FG, 5-8 3 pt, 10-10 ft, -5
There are no three big ones, it’s just Big Reaves.
Austin, on a buttock, reversed Memphis. He led the Lakers with 31 points, made his 10 free throws and made huge games throughout the match to guarantee the result of Los Angeles.
My favorite room was not one of her three or his fantasy dribbling; It was a game of grain and creak in the fourth.
With Memphis still in the game, he gave Jaren Jackson Jr. and refused the ball. Santi Aldama still tried to feed JJJ, but Austin held his firm position and Jackson Jr., defeated him with frustration
These are the difficult and disjointed pieces that he obtained an impact.
Grade: A +
Dorian Finney-Smith
35 minutes, 11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 4-9 FG, 3-7 3pt, +15
DFS is in JJ Redick’s confidence circle.
He plays a good defense, knocks on his open look and rarely turns the ball. Unsurprisingly, he led the bench in a few minutes and had more than +15 in the biggest game of the season.
Grade: B +
Jarred Vanderbilt
10 minutes, 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3-5 FG, 0-1 3pt, -1
Vando’s offensive possession can always be an adventure, but against the grizzly greeks, it was less a riding ride. He played much less in this game, which was interesting. I do not know if it is a long -term change or simply a question of DFS playing more than usual.
Grade: B
Gabe Vincent
23 minutes, 15 points, 2 rebounds, 1 decisive pass, 1 flight, 5-7 FG, 4-6 3pt, 1-1 ft, +9
Take an arc, Vincent!
He was hot red to start this match, scoring his 15 points in the first half. It also means that he was cooled considerably and was not very effective after the break at half-time, but even so, he performed much better than what should be planned.
Grade: a-
Jordan Goodwin, Dalton Knecht
These are now consecutive games, where Goodwin and Knecht play less than ten minutes. It means no notes for this game, but does it also mean that they will be outside looking at the rotation of the coming Lakers?
JJ Redick
Redick had a great challenge that the Lakers not only won, but also obtained a Floping technical fault called JJJ to his lack of respect for the basketball game. Add to Vincent, playing more to DFS and keeping his composure when Memphis took place, and it was a game well trained by Redick.
Grade: B
DNPS on Saturday: Alex Len, Shake Milton, Markieff Morris, Bonny James, Christian Koloko
The inactive Saturdays: Maxi Kleber, Trey Jemison III
You can follow Edwin on Twitter in @ Ecreates88 or on Bluesky at @ ecreates88.bsky.social.
