Memphis Grizzlies fizzle in overtime to L.A. Lakers, one loss from elimination
LOS ANGELES — The Memphis Grizzlies had 6.7 seconds.
A two-point lead against the Los Angeles Lakers late in the fourth quarter was on the palm of the Grizzlies' hands with a chance to tie the best-of-seven series in Game 4, but it slipped away as LeBron James finished with a game-tying layup over the outstretched arms of NBA Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr., and the game headed for overtime.
James wasn't done just yet. He had one more crushing basket in him as he drove to the left against Dillon Brooks, drew a foul and put the Lakers up five with a dagger of a layup with 29.1 seconds left. Memphis was unable to trim the deficit and fell to the Lakers 117-111 on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena, moving within one loss of elimination.
Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 36 points. James finished with 22 points and 20 rebounds for the Lakers.
The early results Monday night were drawing the wrong flashbacks for the Grizzlies. The Lakers led by as many as 15 points in the first half as the Grizzlies missed open threes and struggled to get in an offensive flow. It looked like the offensive issues of Game 3 were returning.
Suddenly, Memphis showed a different type of flashback with its ability to trim large deficits in the blink of an eye. The Lakers and Grizzlies traded blows in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, but it was James who delivered the last — and perhaps lasting — blow.
Here are some takeaways from the game.
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Early lack of offensive rhythm
The Lakers looked like a team that had figured out the tendencies of the Memphis players through most of the first two quarters. The Lakers sagged off of Dillon Brooks and dared him to take 3-pointers. Through a lack of execution and personnel, Memphis struggled to get spacing before a sudden 14-1 run to close the half. Memphis shot 34.5% in the first half and went 5-for-23 on 3-pointers.
Memphis shot 54% in the third quarter to turn the tide. The quarter was ended by a Morant left-handed dunk at the buzzer that gave Memphis a two-point lead.
Desmond Bane gets hot
Memphis needed one of its top scorers to rise up, and that guy ended up being Bane. He got hot near the end of the first half and carried his shooting performance into the third quarter. Bane started the game shooting one of seven before focusing on his midrange jumper and getting to the rim. He followed that slow start by making seven of his next 10 shots. Bane's previous series-high in scoring was 22 points in Game 1, and he only shot 6-for-18 in that game. Bane made multiple big shots in the fourth quarter when the Lakers were gaining momentum.
Slowing down Anthony Davis
Davis was the best player in the series through the first three games, but the Grizzlies made it a focal point to limit the Lakers star. Memphis swarmed Davis when he got paint touches, and the defense did a good job of not letting him get deep in the paint, which led to contested midrange jumpers. Davis was held without a made field goal in the first half and scored two points. The Lakers star also struggled in the second half. He had seven points at the end of regulation and finished with 12 points.
What's next
The Grizzlies and Lakers will travel back to Memphis for Game 5 on Wednesday (6:30 p.m., TNT).
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies fall to LeBron James, Lakers in overtime in Game 4
