Without Ja Morant, here's how Memphis Grizzlies can beat L.A. Lakers in Game 2

Game 1 of the Memphis Grizzlies' first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers felt familiar for Grizzlies' fans. They've now fallen behind 1-0 in 14 of the 18 playoff series the franchise has played since coming to Memphis.

Now, Ja Morant's potential absence looms large over a pivotal Game 2. The Grizzlies have come back to win three of those series in which they lost Game 1. They've won one of those series after falling behind 2-0.

With that in mind, The Commercial Appeal's Grizzlies beat writer Damichael Cole and sports columnist Mark Giannotto convened a roundtable to tackle the biggest questions ahead of Wednesday's rematch at FedExForum (6:30 p.m., TNT).

How do the Memphis Grizzlies win Game 2 without Ja Morant?

Giannotto: By hitting a bunch of 3-pointers and getting another monster offensive performance from Jaren Jackson Jr. Memphis can’t really ask for much more from Jackson (although a few more defensive rebounds would be nice). So they need Luke Kennard to be a big factor like he had been since being acquired at the trade deadline. They need Desmond Bane to shoot better than 3 for 10 from beyond the arc. They need Dillon Brooks to hit the open shots the Lakers are giving him. But here’s hoping Morant’s hand feels better with a couple days between games. It’s hard to see the Grizzlies coming back from an 0-2 deficit in this series.

Cole: It will take a collective effort that starts with Tyus Jones running an efficient offense. That means closer to the goal of 30 assists and less turnovers. Morant had half of the Grizzlies’ 12 turnovers. Jones led the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio for the fifth-straight season. Jones is also a better shooter than Morant, so putting him on the floor alongside Bane should give Memphis better 3-point shooting opportunities. Combine that with the fact that the Lakers will throw different looks at Jackson after his efficient 31-point night, and you have a recipe for success in Game 2.

What was most troubling part of the L.A. Lakers’ Game 1 performance?

Cole: Five Lakers scored 19 points or more. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are two of the best players in the NBA, but the impact of the Lakers’ role players was noticeable. The rebounding difference stood out, but that’s likely going to be something Memphis just has to work around since Steven Adams isn’t available. If D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura continue to shine, it could be a short series.

Giannotto: Austin Reaves.

Davis was dominant, but that was expected to be a major problem. Hachimura’s 29 points felt more flukey than fearsome. He shot 31.9 percent from 3-point range in the regular season. But Reaves’ crunch-time explosion, when he scored 10-straight points for the Lakers and punctuated the sequence by shouting, “I’m him,” was a continuation of what he did at the end of the regular season. He has averaged more than 18 points per game since March 1 and looks increasingly like a capable sidekick besides James and Davis.

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Can the Grizzlies' depth match the Lakers?

Giannotto: It better, or this is going to be hard to win this series. The Lakers transformed their supporting cast at the trade deadline, but the perception, generally, was that Memphis still had better depth heading into the series. Given how Reaves, Hachimura and Russell performed, that's very much up for debate. Memphis got two points from Xavier Tillman Sr. and a combined 24 points off the bench. Perhaps this is a spot to inject Kenneth Lofton Jr. into the mix because he can give Memphis offensive punch inside along with Jackson, and he's a better rebounder than Santi Aldama or David Roddy.

Cole: Without Morant, the Grizzlies may not be able to match the Lakers' firepower. But if the star point guard returns, Jones, Kennard, Aldama and Roddy are all capable depth pieces. It will be interesting to see which player currently outside of the rotation gets a shot to make an impact. Ziaire Williams, Lofton or John Konchar could be called upon. Remember, it was Tillman coming from out of the rotation last season in the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves to shift the momentum of that series.

Who’s the most important Grizzlies player outside of Jaren Jackson and Desmond Bane?

Cole: Tillman is a vital piece to this series. Sure, Memphis may not win the rebounding battle often against the Lakers, but Tillman has to be forceful enough to at least help the Grizzlies draw even. In Game 1, Tillman was mainly occupied with boxing out Lakers bigs while the guards came in and grabbed the boards. Along with rebounding, Tillman must be effective against Davis so the Grizzlies can pick and choose when they want Jackson to take that defensive assignment. Tillman’s effectiveness should help keep Jackson out of foul trouble.

Giannotto: It's Kennard. In Game 1, he was just 1 of 4 from beyond the arc and admitted that he struggled to get open looks despite having plays run for him at times. The NBA's best 3-point shooter can't let it happen again in Game 2. Given the Grizzlies' personnel issues at the moment, their best chance might be to go small with Kennard and Bane on the floor together alongside Brooks at the four spot and Jackson at center. But that lineup only works if Kennard can make the Lakers pay on offense.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: With Ja Morant injury, here's how Memphis Grizzlies can beat Lakers