Memphis Grizzlies 85 vs 125 Los Angeles Lakers summary: stats and highlights | NBA Playoffs Game 6
The seventh seeded Los Angeles Lakers are on to the next round of the NBA Playoffs after smashing the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 6 from Crypto.com Arena. D’Angelo Russell led the Lakers to the 125-85 Victory with 31 points to advance to bring the Lakers one step closer to the NBA Finals.
LA jump out early, don’t look back
The Lakers tipped off shortly after the Golden State Warriors lost to the Sacramento Kings at home which will force a Game 7 back in Sacramento. LA wanted to avoid that situation at all costs and came out making a statement from the start.
For Memphis Game 6 couldn’t have started any worse. It was a mix of some terrific shooting from Los Angeles, especially from D’Angelo Russell who had 10 first quarter points in a night in which he would end the game as the top scorer and some dreadful offense in the biggest game of the year.
The Grizzlies went through a span where they hit just 3 of 14 field goals and the Lakers would take an 11 point lead to end the first quarter and cruised to victory from there.
Russell erupts in Game 6
LeBron turned it on in the second quarter, and so did Anthony Davis who ended the first half with a double double while Memphis would score 44 first half points in a night where both Ja Morant and Desmond Bane never found their rhythm.
Morant had just 10, and Bane scored 15 after scoring 30+ in back-to-back games. Jaren Jackson Jr. was too busy trying to contain Davis on the other end to make an impact on the game. Memphis shot just 30% from the field in one of their worst offensive showings of the season.
The second half started with the Lakers hitting three straight threes, including Russell’s two in a row in a quarter that saw him put up 14 points. He ended the night with 31 points on 12/17 shooting in just three quarters.
Waiting on Kings-Warriors winner
The lead stretched to 33 heading into the fourth quarter which allowed Lakers coach Darvin Ham to rest his starters for the final 12 minutes. LeBron had 22 while Davis ended the night with 16, 14 and 5 blocks.
The backups would build the lead to 40 by the end of the game, as the Lakers strolled into the second round of the playoffs. They will now enjoy a few days rest while awaiting the winner of Game 7 in the Warriors-Kings series.
LA take the first round series and will now a few days off as they await a winner of the Kings-Warriors series.
D'Angelo Russell came out of the break hitting two quick threes and had 14 points in the third as the lead stretched to 33 heading into the final 12 minutes.
AD had a double double at halftime as the Lakers built up a 17 point lead going into the third quarter.
The Lakers led by 11 at the end of the first quarter and then LeBron started to take over in the second.
Anthony Davis was a monster down low blocking five shots in a night where LA held Memphis to just 85 points.
The Lakers won it in a rout, and they got going early thank to Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell.
IT'S ALL OVER!!! THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS ARE HEADING TO THE SECOND ROUND OF THE NBA PLAYOFFS AFTER CRUSHING THE GRIZZLIES IN GAME 6 FROM LA
Christie drills the three ball and the lead is up to 40!!
Aladama gets the lay up to go with a minute to go in the game.
Beasley hits the pull up from inside the paint.
Beasley with the three ball in the corner and the lead is up to 37!!!
Lofton getting back to the rack and finishing at the rack.
Lofton lobs it up to Williams who throws it down with one hand!
Beasley at the line and he hits both FTs.
Williams drills the three ball and the Grizzlies bench is looking better than their first unit.
Walker with the three ball and he's making up for all the time spent on the bench!
Lofton gets to the iron and gets the lay up to go.
Walker drills the three ball off the catch and shoot!
Lofton at the line and he hits one of two FTs after the foul on Beasley.
Aldama with the tip in after following his own miss.
Walker hits the pull up from the elbow.
Beasley to the line and he hits both FTs.
Jackson Jr. hits two FTs out of the timeout and the Lakers take a timeout with 9:10 to go in the fourth quarter.
Timeout Grizzlies with 9:42 to go.
Bane with the floater and Gabriel was there with the block but he got it on the way down.
By the way AD and LeBron started the 4th on the bench and I'd be shocked to see them back in the ball game.
Russell again from downtown and he's got 31 on the night!
Jackson Jr. strokes a three pointer from the top of the key and that's how the third quarter is going to end!
Russell had 14 points in the third quarter, as LA built up a 36 point lead.
James answers back with a three ball and he's over 20 on the night.
Bane hits the three ball, and that's just the 5th FG of the quarter for Memphis.
Gabriel gets the tip in to go off his own miss.
Reaves gets into the paint, and he hits the leaner in the lane.
Jackson Jr. at the line and he hits both FTs after the foul on Gabriel
LeBron follows his own rebound and gets the fader in the lane to drop.
Schroder gets the floater to go and we are heading to a timeout with 3:05 to go in the third quarter!
Aldama on the alley oop off the assist from Jones.
Davis on the drive and he gets the lay up to go and the foul!!! FT is good and the lead is over 30!
Aldama to the line after the foul on Schroder and he hits both FTs.
Schroder lobs it up and Davis comes crashing down with the alley oop!
Bane at the line and he hits one of two FTs.
Jackson Jr. hits both FTs after the foul on Vanderbilt.
Russell does it again from downtown!!! He's got four threes in this third quarter!
Aldama hits a three but it looks like it's already too little too late!
Russell drills the high arching three ball from the top of the key and he leads all scorers with 22 points!
Vanderbilt drills the three ball off the kickout from Reaves!
Jackson Jr. gets the short range effort to go and he has been absent in this must win game in LA.
Reaves with the pump fake and the lay up and it's all Lakers in this third quarter!
Timeout Grizzlies with 7:42 to go in the third.
Russell gets the roll on the pull up from the elbow.
Reaves on the runner in the paint and 7 on the night.
Bane fouled by Davis and he hits both FTs. That's just 9 points for Bane tonight.
Vanderbilt in the corner off the Reaves kick out and he drills the three! That's three in a row for the Lakers and the Grizzlies are a horrific start!
TImeout Memphis with 10:21 to go in the third.
Russell with back to back three balls and he's had hot streaks blanketed throughout the series and he's got six quick points out of the halftime break!
Russell answers back with a three ball and he's got 18 on the night!
Morant drills a three ball over Davis and that's a start for Memphis who need to start scoring with ease in the second half.
WE ARE BACK IN LA FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION!!
AD's got 11 points and 10 rebounds to go with his three blocks after a dominant first half performance.
There are not a whole lot of highlights to show you from Memphis. Brooks has 10 after hitting a couple of threes, but that's about all the Grizzlies have going through two quarters.
Hachimura had a quick 6 off the bench to help the Lakers stretch the lead out to 20 before halftime.
Davis did a little bit of everything in the first half, including this block which was one of three he had in the opening two quarters. Memphis scored just 42 points in 24 minutes. They are having an off night in the most important game of the season.
The Lakers got going early on thanks to Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell who helped LA stretch to a double digit lead in the opening minutes.
That is how the first half is going to end!
The Lakers are in control through 24 minutes and have two quarters to close out the Grizzlies.
Brooks is the only Grizzly in double digits with 10. Morant and Bane both have 7.
LeBron leads all scorers with 16, Russell has 14 after a fantastic first quarter and Davis has 11 and 10 rebounds.
James drives to the rack and throws down a NASTY reverse jam!!
Bane pulls up from the baseline and hits the mid range jumper.
Davis follows up the Schroder missed three and he gets the tip in to go.
Roddy drops the three ball in the corner off the kickout from Brooks!
Davis on the pick and roll and he finishes off the alley oop with an AND 1! FT is good to complete the three point play.
Brooks dribbles into the paint and gets an off balance floater to go!
Ja running the break and he hits Brooks in the corner for three!
Reaves gets the runner in the lane to drop out of the timeout.
Bane finally hits a three and where has he been all night? He's got just 5 points tonight.
Timeout Lakers with 3:36 to go in the half.
Russell to the line after the Tillman foul and he hits one of two FTs out of the timeout.
The Lakers are going to take a timeout up 19 with 4:25 left in the half.
Russell in transition and he gets the lay up after the bounce pass from LeBron.
Aldama on the alley oop from Morant and the Grizzlies have yet to eclipse 30 points with under 5 minutes to go in the half.
James comes out of the timeout slashing to the rack, gets the bucket and the foul!!! FT is good to complete the three point play.
James dishes it off to Hachimura on the break and he gets a wide open jam!
Timeout Memphis with 6:11 to go in the half.
Hachimura drills the pull up jumper after Russell registers another assist!
LeBron knocks down the baseline jumper from the mid range and he's in double digits midway through the third quarter.
Jones drills a three ball and Memphis would love to see Jones get going tonight.
Schroder lobs it up to Gabriel and he brought it down and got the lay in to go.
Jackson Jr. skips around LeBron in the lane and the short floater falls.
Konchar with the lay up and the Grizzlies will take points any way they can get them right now.
James running the break after Schroder came up with the steal and Gabriel gets the jam off the feed fro LeBron!
LeBron starts the second quarter with a lay up off the hesitation down low.
The first quarter comes to an end, and the Lakers are up double digits thanks to D'Angelo Russell's 10 early points.
The Grizzlies went through a span where they missed 14 of 16 field goals up the only trail by 11. Morant has 7 to lead Memphis.
Reaves fouled Jackson Jr. on the break and he hits one of two FTs.
Morant end the Lakers run with a three ball with under a minute to go in the first quarter.
Hachimura spinning and gliding to the iron for the slam!
Russell finds Davis again, this time on the pick and roll that leads to the alley oop!
Russell on the slip pass down low to AD and Davis gets the jam.
Russell again! He's got three straight bucket for the Laakers, this time he hit it from the mid range.
Russell's got 10 already and the Grizzlies need a timeout with 2:45 to go in the first quarter.
Russell on the penetration and finish and he is feeling it tonight.
Tillman on the follow up off the blocked shot on Bane.
Russell gets the floater to go and he's off to a nice start in Game 6.
Morant drew the double team and he found Aldama for the wide open three ball!
Reaves kicks it out to LeBron who drills the open three ball, and he's got back to back buckets!
LeBron with the dash to the rack and he hits the lay up off the Vanderbilt dish.
Bane running the break after Ja picked up the loose ball and he's got his first two thanks to a transition lay up.
Russell follows up his own miss and Reaves drills the three ball off the second chance opportunity!
Timeout Grizzlies with 7:11 to go in the first quarter.
Russell gets in the lane and hits the contested floater. LA leads for the first time tonight.
Reavers hits James streaking toward the iron with a full court pass that leads to an easy lay up.
Davis heads to the line after the foul on Tillman and he hits both FTs.
Brooks drills the three ball and he warned us. He said he was bound to have a big game one of these days.
Vanderbilt in the corner for three and he strokes it!
Morant to the line after the foul on Reaves and he hits one of two.
Brooks gets inside the FT line and hits the short jumper.
Step back from the top of the key and Russell hits the long two for the first points of the night for LA.
Morant with the interception on the Vanderbilt pass and he takes it hone for the scoop and score.
Morant at the line after the foul on Davis and he hits one of two to get the Grizzlies going.
WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM LA!! WILL THE LAKERS BE MOVING ON TO THE SECOND ROUND OF WILL THE GRIZZLIES TAKE IT BACK TO MEMPHIS?
Warriors and Kings headed to Game 7
We are still awaiting the end of the Warriors Kings game to get this game started and the way things are going in the Bay, it looks like they are headed to a Game 7. Will the Grizzlies be able to do the same tonight at Chase Center?
Can Jaren Jackson Jr. be the differnce maker tonight for the Grizzlies? He is the 2022/23 Defensive Player of the Year and he it will be his job containing Anthony Davis tonight. He can do it on the offensive end to, and tonight Memphis is going to need their big man working overtime.
This is the same starting five that Darvin Ham has used all series long. It's the five that got up 35-9 in the first quarter of one game, but also the same five that went down 14 in the first half of Game 5.
Upset alert!
Top seeds beware! The 2023 NBA Playoffs have been full of surprises so far and we could see even more surprises by the end of the first round. The 8 seed Miami Heat took down the 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, while Boston narrowly edged out the Hawks in Atlanta to close the series. In the West, both the Lakers and the Warriors come into tonight a win away from the second round. The Warriors had the early tip and are currently in the fourth quarter, trailing the Kings by 13.
Big night coming for Brooks?
Dillon Brooks has been the talk of the series. He was the one who came out and said that he wanted the Lakers in the first round. Then challenged LeBron, calling him old, and claiming that if someone doesn’t post 40 on him then he isn’t impressed. After blaming the media for making him the bad guy after Game 4, he has now sent warning shots to the Lakers saying that his subpar three point shooting performance is bound to turn around at some point in this series. He shot 32.6% from long range this season but is 8/37 from downtown coming into Game 6 in LA.
Grizzlies fighting for survival
Ja Morant has had a bumpy last couple months. Whether he’s in the news for waving a gun around a Denver strip club, or injuring his hand in Game 1 of the first round series things have not been very comfortable for the Grizzlies superstar, but his teammates have stepped up when he has been sidelined or suspended. There would be no better way to pay his teammates back then with a big performance tonight in LA. He’s already had games of 45 and 30 in the series, and tonight Memphis is going to need their superstar to look like a superstar.
LeBron back in LA
Sometimes we forget that LeBron is 38 years old. Let’s be honest, it’s his fault. Someone his age shouldn’t be dominating the league like he is, so it’s easy to forget that he is pushing 40. Last time out, he looked mortal, going for 5/17 and scoring just 15 points in the Game 5 loss. Tonight, he is in front of his home fans, and has a chance to close out the game under his own roof. LeBron doesn’t need to put up huge numbers for the Lakers to win since the mid season trades turned this team around, but he is still capable of it and we may see that on display here tonight.
Game 5 recap
Memphis did what they have been doing all year, which is take care of business at the FedEx Forum. Ja Morant and the Grizzlies lost just six games at home during the regular season, and stepped up in a must win game against LeBron and the Lakers. LA looked exhausted in Game 5, after edging out the Memphis in overtime in the previous matchup. James went just 5/17 from the field on a night where the Grizzlies held on to a double digit lead essentially all night, as Memphis’ to stars put up 30+ points. LA actually pulled with in a point late in the third, but a 25-2 run led by Desmond Bane who had 32 and Ja Morant who added another 30 secured the home victory and extended the series back to LA for Game 6.
We are live from the Crypt
Hello everyone and Welcome to LA where the Grizzlies are on the brink of elimination for the second straight game after beating the Lakers in a must win game on Wednesday night. For the first time this series Memphis looked like the team that finished the regular season second in the West, with Ja Morant looking like his usual explosive self, and Desmond Bane going from sidekick to superstar on the second end of back to back nights. The Lakers are still the hottest team in the playoffs despite losing Game 5 in Memphis. They ended the season winning 9 of 11 games and despite losing a couple games in this series they are still big favorites to advance to the next round of the playoffs.
Grizzlies vs. Lakers Game 6
The second seeded Memphis Grizzlies are facing elimination in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs tonight in Los Angeles where the Lakers have a chance to close out the series under their own roof. AS English will be with you all night, providing live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis of tonight’s can’t miss match up from Crypto.com Arena.