The Los Angeles Lakers have completed a regular-season sweep against the Memphis Grizzlies after a clutch performance on January 5 in barely beating an injury-riddled team, 120–114. However, it wasn’t only LeBron James and Luka Dončić’s magnificent night that stood out; it was also Jake LaRavia’s contribution and how the Lakers barely beat a mediocre team for the second straight game in the clutch.
This Should Have Been a Game Where the Lakers Dominated
Dončić was terrific on offense, pouring in 36 points, 8 assists, and 9 rebounds, while James quietly controlled the pace with 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 dimes, creating a never-before-seen stat line for a 41-year-old. Four-year veteran Jake LaRavia also chipped in with 26 points, while former first overall pick Deandre Ayton was a reliable option down low after putting up 15 points and 8 rebounds.
On paper, the Lakers looked like they were the more dominant force, as they should be, yet they were still struggling to keep up with a Grizzlies squad that has been plagued with multiple injuries this NBA season. At one point, Los Angeles trailed by 16 points but was able to come back in the fourth quarter thanks to Luka and LeBron’s masterclass. They are now 12–0 in clutch games.
Memphis played excellent basketball in the first half but ultimately ran out of gas in the second. Part of the reason for their failure was their long list of injured players against the Lakers. Key contributors like Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Ty Jerome, Brandon Clarke, and Scotty Pippen Jr. were sidelined for the game. Vince Williams Jr., and John Konchar were also out.
Even Santi Aldama was nursing an ankle injury, but the Spanish power forward still suited up and even finished with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. The biggest blow to the Grizzlies’ offense, however, came when Cedric Coward suffered an injury mid-game, forcing him to sit out the rest of the match. The rookie was set for a stellar night, leaving the game with 16 points and 9 rebounds in just 13 minutes.
Despite the Backlash, Lakers Quietly Proving Everyone Wrong
While their system is not perfect, and being “undefeated” in the clutch isn’t exactly a good thing for the team, the Los Angeles Lakers are somehow putting the league on notice. Although Luka Dončić is receiving a lot of hate for his lackluster defense, the Slovenian superstar is making up for it by filling up the stat sheet and securing victory after victory. The same goes for LBJ, who has been nothing short of amazing after averaging 20+ PPG even in Year 23.
With their latest win, the Purple and Gold improved their record to 22–11 and are currently the third seed in a competitive Western Conference.
