Grizzlies avoid elimination by beating Lakers 116-99

2023-04-27 03:22:02

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Desmond Bane had 33 points and 10 rebounds, Ja Morant added 31 points and 10 rebounds, and the Memphis Grizzlies avoided elimination Wednesday by beating the Lakers 116-99. to force the Western Conference first-round series back to Los Angeles.

Jaren Jackson Jr., the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who improved to 5-0 in Game 5 of a series in Memphis and cut the Lakers’ lead to 3-2. Memphis earned the right to be the No. 2 seed for the second year in a row by posting the best home record in the league at 35-6.

Game 6 will be Friday night in Los Angeles.

LeBron James started going 1-for-7 from the floor but finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds, modest numbers following the 38-year-old played 45 minutes Monday night in Los Angeles’ overtime win and became a the oldest player in NBA history with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds, in his 270th playoff game.

Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 31 points and 19 rebounds. Austin Reaves finished with 17 points and D’Angelo Russell scored 11. Davis stayed on the court for a few seconds following a layup with 6:01 remaining that pulled the Lakers within 106-91. When he got up, he caught her back as he walked back to defend.

The Lakers tried to come back, going 20-7 in the fourth quarter. They mightn’t get closer than 12. Memphis responded with eight straight points to the delight of their fans with 90 seconds left.

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