Lakers look to close out Grizzlies; advance to second round

by Ben Cooper

The Lakers are up 3-1 and can close out the series in Game 5 in Memphis tonight. LA went 2-0 at home and is one game from advancing to the second round.

LeBron James and the Lakers took Game 4 in overtime. It was a great 4th quarter comeback that saw D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves hit clutch buckets. James sent the game to overtime with a layup over the Defensive Player of the Year, Jaren Jackson Jr., and then hit the dagger layup in overtime.

James finished Game 4 with 22 points, 20 rebounds, and seven assists. It was a career-high in rebounds for him and an outstanding performance.

LA will want to keep the momentum going in this Game 5 on the road. 

If they are going to close out the series, they will need Anthony Davis to step up. Davis had another good defensive performance with two steals and four blocks but struggled offensively. He only had 12 points, shooting 4-13 from the field.

Darvin Ham needs to gameplan for Davis to get more involved in the offense in Game 5 as they look to close out the series.

Davis is dealing with a hip injury but will play through it.

The Lakers will need contributions outside of James and Davis as well. Look for Rui Hachimura to continue his playoff success while Reaves and Russell carry over their Game 4 play.

Hachimura is having a tremendous postseason for LA, averaging 18/6/1, shooting 57.8 percent from the field and 62.5 percent from three. He has proven to be a clutch playoff player for the Lakers, and they will need him to keep his play in the closeout game.

Ham did better with his defensive gameplan on Morant in Game 4. Morant finished with 19 points, shooting 8-24 from the field and 1-6 from behind the arc.

LA will need to prioritize containing Morant once again, as it would give them a good shot at winning in Game 5. 

If the Lakers come out with energy and intensity in Game 5, they can close out the series and advance to the second round.

Winning tonight would give them extra rest, as they would play the winner of the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors in the second round, and their series is currently tied at 2.

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