Los Angeles Lakers or Memphis Grizzlies: Which Needs Win More in Critical Game 2
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies lost in game one of the Western Conference’s playoffs first round. The Lakers are playing the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Grizzlies are playing the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers, the third seed in the Western Conference, lost on their home court by 24 against the T’wolves. The Los Angeles Lakers shot 36% from the field and 36% from the three-point line. The T’wolves shot 51% from the field and 50% from three-point land. With Minnesota shooting so well, how can the Lakers get a win in Game 2? Who will need to step up after losing game one?
The Memphis Grizzlies, who suffered a more significant loss in Oklahoma City, lost by a record-breaking 51 points. The Oklahoma City Thunder, the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, dominated the Grizzlies in game one, and the game was basically over by halftime. Also, to make matters worse, Thunder’s star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t have the best game, shooting four for 13 from the field and one for seven from the three-point line. He did score 15 points, but the rest of the Grizzlies squad handled business and got the win. As for the Memphis Grizzlies, they shot 34% from the field and a terrible 17% from the three-point line. How can the Grizzlies turn it around?
What The Lakers Need To Do To Win Game 2
The Los Angeles Lakers first need to fix their defense. NBA experts have pointed out that in game one, the Lakers overcommitted to Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards. Edwards scored 22 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, but only had one turnover. He seemed to make all the right choices in game one. If the Lakers are going to double the dangerous Edwards, they would need to cover his outlet passes and force him into a difficult shot. T’wolves players like Jaden McDaniels, who shot 11 for 13 from the field and a perfect three for three from the three-point line, were getting open shots.
With the Los Angeles Lakers applying their defense, it should open up chances for fast-break points. Something that the Lakers have fed off of offensively during the regular season. The Lakers only had six points compared to the Timberwolves’ 25 points in fast-break points. Ball movement was also an issue for the Lakers, who only had 15 assists compared to Minnesota’s 29 assists. Without proper ball movement, players like Austin Reaves, a rising star for the Lakers, could get open looks at the basket. Luka Doncic scored 37 points but had only one assist. With Doncic playing maestro, Lebron James, who had 19 points, could have more opportunities to be spectacular.
Grizzlies Fix Mistakes
For the Memphis Grizzlies to have the fifth biggest margin in NBA history, to be scored on you has to sting. The Interim Head Coach of the Grizzlies, Tuomas Iisalo, says the turnovers and rebounding were “unsustainable for us.” The Grizzlies had 24 turnovers that turned into 27 fast-break points for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder were also out-rebounded 54-43. The bad mistakes of the Grizzlies led to easy points for the Thunder. Another area OKC feeds on is points in the paint, where they scored 60 points compared to the Grizzlies’ 48 points.
The Memphis Grizzlies have the offensive power to make a series of this with the Thunder. One factor is Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr, who scored only four points in Game 1 on two for 13 shooting from the field and went 0 for four from the three-point line. Ja Morant also didn’t have a good game, scoring 17 points, shooting six for 17, and one for six from the three-point line. Rookie Zach Edey would need to be more aggressive in the paint; he has the size and skill to offset the Thunder down in the paint. With the Grizzlies correcting their mistakes, their star stepping up, and help from the bench, it wouldn’t guarantee a win, but it would put pressure on the OKC Thunder.
Final Thoughts
The Los Angeles Lakers need a win in Game Two, considering they have two of the best offensive-scoring players in the league. However, they will still need help from their role players. The Memphis Grizzlies need to reclaim some respect after such a devastating loss, and winning against a high-powered OKC Thunder is a high order. The Lakers would have to come together and play like they did after the Luka Doncic trade. Coach J.J. Reddick must devise a plan to slow down the Minnesota Timberwolves, Ant-Man and company.
