The new-look Los Angeles Lakers faced a big test on Monday in Game 4 against the Memphis Grizzlies with a chance to go up 3-1 in the series. It was a gut-check game: There were multiple instances in which it looked like they would likely lose.
After giving up the first six points of the contest, Los Angeles took control toward the end of the first quarter and took a 53-38 lead deep in the second quarter. But a run by Memphis just before halftime trimmed the Lakers’ lead to two at intermission, and from then on it was a test of survival and who wanted it more.
The third and fourth quarters were a slugfest, as the Lakers found themselves trying to overcome a modest deficit. But multiple big plays down the stretch at both ends of the floor resulted in a hard-fought 117-111 win in overtime and a 3-1 series lead. The Lakers reached back and found that they had more grit than the team that used to be nicknamed “grit and grind,” as they won this one the ugly way.
This was likely the biggest, most hotly contested and most exciting playoff win the team has had at home dating to 2010, the last time it won the NBA championship during a postseason in which games were played at Crypto.com Arena (then known as Staples Center). It was the type of playoff win that helps a team reach “adulthood.” Now the Lakers will have the opportunity to get past the first round for only the second time since 2012 with a win in Game 5 in Memphis.