ANTHONY Davis and LeBron James went to work in the endgame as the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a 94-92 escape over Memphis Grizzlies in their 2020-2021 National Basketball Association (NBA) Season at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, United States on Tuesday night (Wednesday in the Philippines).
Trailing 79-77 with five minutes left, Davis and James anchored the Lakers’ decisive 9-2 scoring run for an 86-81 advantage capped by a Davis dunk on an assist from James.
James and Davis continued their rampage as the Lakers’ lead went up to 92-83 with 31.1 seconds left. The Grizzlies was able to put together some late baskets to make it close, but couldn’t overtake the defending champions.
Davis finished the match with 26 points and 10 rebounds, James added 11 rebounds and seven assists while Dennis Schroder contributed 12 points. It was the Lakers’ fourth straight win as they rose to a 6-2 slate.
Jonas Valanciunas, Dillon Brooks and Gorgui Dieng top-scored with 13 points apiece while Brandon Clarke added 12 points as the shorthanded Grizzlies continued their struggle for a 2-5 slate.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn Nets made changes to their starting roster as they halted their losing run with a 130-96 domination over Utah Jazz at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, United States.
Kyrie Irving finished the match with 29 points, Caris LeVert added 24 markers while Jarret Allen contributed double-double 19 points and 18 rebounds as the Nets evened their record to 4-4.
In other results, San Antonio Spurs (3-4) hacked out a 116-113 triumph over Los Angeles Clippers (5-3); Denver Nuggets (3-4) walloped Minnesota Timberwolves (2-5), 123-116; while Chicago Bulls (4-4) stunned Portland Trail Blazers (3-4), 111-108.
BOX SCORE:
LOS ANGELES 94 – James 26, Davis 26, Schroder 12, Harrell 9, Kuzma 5, Morris 5, Matthews 4, Horton-Tucker 4, Gasol 3.
MEMPHIS 92 – Valanciunas 13, Brooks 13, Dieng 13, Clarke 12, Anderson 10, Jones 8, Tillman 8, Bane 7, Melton 5, Allen 3.
QUARTERSCORES:
Q1, 19-24; Q2, 45-49; Q3, 67-68; Q4, 94-92./PN
