The Memphis Grizzlies tied their first-round Western Conference playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers 1-1 Wednesday with a 103-93 victory at FedExForum.
Xavier Tillman Sr. set playoff career highs with 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Grizzlies, whose supporting cast helped the team build a 20-point lead even with All-Star Ja Morant sidelined with right hand soreness.
Jaren Jackson Jr., who received the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award before the game, recorded 18 points and three blocks. Desmond Bane added 17 points, Luke Kennard netted 13 points off the bench, Dillon Brooks tallied 12 points, and Tyus Jones had 10 points and eight assists to just one turnover starting in place of Morant. All five starters scored in double figures.
LeBron James double-doubled for the second straight game with 28 points and 12 rebounds. Rui Hachimura, who scored 29 points off the bench in Game 1, scored 20 in Game 2. Anthony Davis was limited to 13 points on 4-of-14 shooting, while D’Angelo Russell was held to five points on 2-of-11 shooting.
Memphis used a 22-8 run to lead 30-19 entering the second quarter and led 59-44 at halftime. The Lakers cut a 66-46 advantage to six points in the third quarter, but the Grizzlies closed the period on a 10-4 run and led by at least six points throughout the fourth.
The Grizzlies, who set a franchise record and led the NBA with a 35-6 home record during the regular season, remained undefeated (5-0) when Game 2 of a postseason series is played at home.
The series shifts to Los Angeles for the next two games with Game 3 tipping-off at 9 p.m. CT on Saturday, April 22, at Crypto.com Arena. Fans can tune into Bally Sports Southeast or ESPN or listen on 92.9 FM ESPN Radio.