Page 8 - FLPD

A31
sports Diabierna 31 December 2021

Ja Morant scores 41 points, Grizzlies beat slumping Lakers

(AP) — Ja Morant scored sealed the win with two free
41 points, Desmond Bane throws with 5.1 seconds to go
added 20 and the Mem- Ahead by six at the half, the
phis Grizzlies overcame a Lakers pushed their advan-
14-point second-half defi- tage to 14 at 80-66 during a
cit to beat the Los Angeles third quarter in which Los
Lakers 104-99 on Wednes- Angeles made six 3-pointers.
day night. James had three of those.

LeBron James led Los An- The Grizzlies were able to
geles with 37 points — a day battle back and trim the lead
short of his 37th birthday to five at 83-78 at the end of
— and 13 rebounds and a the quarter. Morant made in a
season-high eight 3-pointers. deep 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Russell Westbrook added a
triple-double with 16 points, In the fourth quarter, the
10 rebounds and 12 assists. Lakers were slowed by four-
minute scoring drought
The Grizzlies improved to which allowed the Grizzlies
22-14 with their third straight to erase a 92-87 deficit with
victory, while the Lakers fell 12 straight points. With 8:12
to 17-19 with their sixth loss to go, Memphis led 99-92
in seven games.
“Coming out in the third
Morant, making a strong bid quarter it got away from us,”
for the All-Star Game, scored Lakers forward Malik Monk Reaves missed the previous six games and Bazemore the last five.
25 of his points in the second said. “It was super frustrat-
half, including 14 in the third ing because we’ve been doing
quarter. He scored 11 of the that all year.”
Grizzlies’ final 15 points.
Grizzlies starting forward
“What an unbelievable night Dillon Brooks sat out his
by Ja,” Memphis coach Tay- third straight game because
lor Jenkins said. “When he of health and safety proto-
got going it kind of fueled cols.
everyone else. We’ve said it
from Day 1, he’s built for Grizzlies: Morant and James
moments like this.” became the third pair of op-
ponents in NBA history
Jenkins also was impressed to each amass 35 or more
with Morant’s defense (two points, 10 or more rebounds
steals, two blocks) and re- and six or more 3-pointers
bounding. He had 10 re- in a game... . . .John Konchar
bounds. entered the league’s health
and safety protocols Tuesday
“I was taking what the de- after making the first two
fense gave me and it turned starts of his career.
out good for us,” Morant
said. ”That’s normally how Lakers: Interim head coach
I attack every game. Tonight David Fizdale said Morant
was just my night.” has quickly blossomed into
an elite player. “You are talk-
Memphis trailed in the sec- ing about one of the best
ond half until Tyus Jones players in this league period.
hit in a floater for a 93-92 Period. The guy is a true su-
lead with 6:50 left. Morant perstar.”. . . Austin Reaves
followed with consecutive and Kent Bazemore tested
3-pointers for a 99-92 advan- out of the NBA’s health and
tage with 4:28 to go. Bane safety protocols Wednesday.