LOS ANGELES — One of the biggest sources of frustration for Lakers Coach JJ Redick during the team’s recent slide has been the lack of carryover.
Whether it’s remembering after-timeout plays (ATOs), improved transition defense, player availability or simply playing hard – a season-long emphasis for a team that oftentimes struggles in that area – the Lakers have lacked on-court consistency for several weeks.
But one thing they have consistently done is win close games, which they achieved again on Sunday night when they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 120-114 at Crypto.com Arena.
After trailing by eight points at the end of the first quarter and as many as 16 in the second, the Lakers kept chipping away at their deficit. And they did what they’ve done best all season once they got close: thrive in clutch minutes.
Led by Luka Doncic (36 points, nine rebounds, eight assists) and LeBron James (26 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds), the Lakers outscored the Grizzlies 22-15 in the final 5:12 of Sunday’s victory.
The Lakers (22-11) improved to a perfect 12-0 in games that feature clutch minutes – when the score is within five points in the final five minutes.
Sunday’s victory was just the second time since the beginning of December that the Lakers have won consecutive games after they beat the Grizzlies on Friday.
Jake LaRavia, once again starting in place of the injured Rui Hachimura, finished with 26 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Sunday was LaRavia’s ninth career 20-point game, and his fourth with the Lakers. He also scored 21 points in Friday’s win over Memphis, his former team.
Deandre Ayton added 15 points (6-of-8 shooting) and eight rebounds, while Jarred Vanderbilt had seven points, seven rebounds and three assists off the bench.
With star guard Ja Morant sidelined with a calf injury, the Grizzlies (15-20), who’ve lost four straight games and six of their last eight, were led by 23 points from Jaylen Wells. Rookie guard Cedric Coward added 16 points and eight rebounds.
After Kentavious Caldwell-Pope knocked down a 3 to put Memphis up 99-98 with 5:29 left, Doncic responded with a jumper to retake the lead. James made an and-1 layup on the team’s next possession to give the Lakers a four-point advantage.
Back-to-back 3s from Doncic gave the Lakers a 112-103 lead with 2:08 remaining, with the Lakers holding on from there.
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