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Grizzlies 108, Lakers 103
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Grizzlies won their season-high fourth straight home game Wednesday night at FedExForum, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 108-103.
The Grizzlies (32-24) handed out a season-high 28 assists on 45 made baskets. They shot 48.9 percent from the floor.
Shooting guard Courtney Lee led Memphis with 18 points and five assists. Guard Tony Allen had 17 points off the bench. Center Marc Gasol finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Forward James Johnson scored 14, and power forward Zach Randolph chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds.
The Lakers (19-39) lost their third straight and lost seven of their last eight. Guard Jodie Meeks paced Los Angeles with 19 points. Forward Wesley Johnson scored 18 points and center Pau Gasol finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lakers trailed by 22 at the 6:02 mark in the third quarter. But they closed on a 19-6 run as Meeks scored 11 third-quarter points and Pau Gasol scored eight. They trailed 82-73 going into the fourth quarter.
The Lakers cut the lead down to six when forward Ryan Kelly knocked down a 3-pointer 12 seconds into the fourth quarter to make the score 82-76. From there, the Grizzlies regained control and stretched the lead to as many as 15 points.
But the Lakers pulled within three, at 106-103, when guard Jordan Farmar (16 points) hit a 3-pointer with 14.9 seconds left. Lee made two free throws for Memphis to complete the scoring.
Memphis scored a season-high 65 first-half points and led 65-46 at halftime as Lee and Allen each scored 11 points.
The Grizzlies shot 57.1 percent in the first half and had 19 assists on 28 made field goals. Eight different Memphis players had at least one assist.
Memphis controlled the paint with 34 points to 16 for Los Angeles.
Johnson led the Lakers with 12 points through the first two quarters and guard Kendall Marshall had six assists.
NOTES: The Lakers entered Wednesday’s game on a historic slide, having lost 25 of their previous 31 games. Before Wednesday, the Lakers were 1-4 in their past five games, giving up at least 101 points in each game, including 134 in a loss to the Houston Rockets. On Tuesday in Indiana, they allowed 118 to the Pacers. “We need to guard somebody,” Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni said. “We need to be tougher.” … Several media reports had the Grizzlies claiming PG Beno Udrih off waivers. The New York Knicks released Udrih on Monday. Memphis wanted a third point guard to play behind starter Mike Conley and rookie Nick Calathes, who has had his ups and downs. In his 10th NBA season, Udrih has career averages of 8.9 points and 3.6 assists. … When the Lakers and Grizzlies last met, on Dec. 17 in Memphis, SG Kobe Bryant fractured his knee.
