Here is a by-the-numbers look at the Lakers’ 97-90 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
3
The Lakers’ lead with three minutes left in the game. However, L.A. couldn’t finish off the Grizzlies, as Memphis closed out on a 13-3 run. The Lakers shot just 1-for-6 the rest of the way, but the Grizzlies weren’t much better, going 1-for-3. Still, Memphis pulled ahead at the foul line, where it went 11-for-14.
“I didn’t think we got the shots we wanted in terms of quality shots going down the stretch,” Jeremy Lin said. “Against a really good team defensive team, we’ve gotta make sure the ball zips back-and-forth, side-to-side and get them in motion. I think that’s how we had a lot of our success early on.”
9
Free throws shot by L.A. The Lakers, who hit seven of their foul shots, were held to single-digit trips to the charity stripe for the first time since April 26, 2012 at Sacramento. Memphis, meanwhile, attempted 33 free throws and made 28 of them (84.8 percent). The Grizzlies took advantage of L.A.’s intentional fouls in the fourth quarter, as Memphis went 16-for-19 at the line in the frame.
13
Rebounds grabbed by Zach Randolph. The 14-year veteran finished as the game’s top rebounder, while also leading all Grizzlies with 24 points on 10-for-16 shooting. Randolph was particularly effective in the second half, as he scored 16 points (6-for-8) and snagged seven boards.
“He scored on me late in the game twice with the jump hook and the put-back,” Ed Davis said. “He’s a load on the block. He’s definitely one of the best back-to-back players in the game right now.”
25
Points scored by Jordan Clarkson, which were a career high. The rookie also hurt Memphis with his passing, becoming the youngest Laker with 25 points and six assists in a game since Kobe Bryant on April 15, 2001. Clarkson was smoking early, piling up 23 points on 11-for-15 shooting through three quarters. But in the final period, Memphis gave the task of guarding the 22-year-old to Tony Allen, who held Clarkson to a 1-for-3 clip in the frame.
Jordan Clarkson Shot Chart
“I was getting to my spots and making shots,” Clarkson said. “Then Tony — one of the best defenders in the league — got physical a little bit and put some pressure on me. I just gotta keep continuing to learn and finish games out.”
54
Points scored by Memphis in the paint. The Grizzlies, who lead the league in paint scoring (47.2), went to work against the Lakers, outscoring them down there by 10 points. Randolph led the charge in the trenches by scoring a game-high 18 paint points, while Allen followed with 14 of his own.