The Memphis Grizzlies were without Ja Morant, but it didn't matter as they struck back and won game 2 of their best-of-seven first round playoff series against the LA Lakers. Now the series heads to LA for game 3 Saturday night with the series knotted a 1-1. Tipoff is at 10:00 p.m. EDT at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The Memphis Grizzlies faced a must win game on Wednesday and responded with a big 103-93 win over the Lakers in game two of their first round series. The win knotted the series at one game apiece. It was a huge win, made even bigger by the fact that the Grizzlies were playing without their star player, Ja Morant, who injured his hand in game 1 and sat out in game 2. But the Grizzlies were just fine, and it is not a one off thing — in his career, the Grizzlies are 37-24 when Morant doesn't play.
“If Ja plays tonight, I like the Lakers. But if Tyus Jones starts and finishes, I like Memphis in Game 2.”
@RealSkipBayless on Ja Morant's game-time status for Game 2 pic.twitter.com/iY5nudVFBf— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) April 19, 2023
It started with the defense, as Memphis is a better defensive team without Morant on the floor, who is a bit of a liability. They held the Lakers to just 41% shooting. And it was a much more balanced offensive attack as Xavier Tillman, of all people, was the star of the game with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Jaren Jackson added 18 points and 9 rebounds, while Desmond Bane chipped in with 17 points. Tyus Jones, filling in for Morant at the point, had a solid game with 10 points and 8 assists. Morant is questionable for game 2, as is Jackson.