Many believed the Los Angeles Lakers would have a difficult matchup in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs versus the Memphis Grizzlies. After all, the Grizzlies are a feisty and talented team that features the explosive Ja Morant and several other very capable players.
Los Angeles built a 10-point lead in the first quarter on the strength of its transition game. But Memphis fought back with a second-quarter spurt that put it up, 65-59, at halftime.
The Lakers responded with a strong third quarter in which it outscored Morant and company, 37-25, thanks to some hot 3-point shooting. Memphis briefly regained the lead, but LeBron James and crew went on another run shortly afterward and never looked back.
What may have doomed the Grizzlies’ fate was an apparent injury Morant suffered with 5:48 left in the final period when he committed an offensive foul. He fell hard to the floor and seemed to aggravate a hand injury he was already dealing with. He didn’t return.
It resulted in a 128-112 Lakers win that gave them home-court advantage.
With two full days off before Game 2 on Wednesday and Morant not likely to play in the next game, they could be in position to return to Los Angeles with a commanding 2-0 series lead.