Postgame Report: Grizzlies fall to Lakers 108-94 in Marc Gasol’s return to Memphis

The Memphis Grizzlies dropped their first of two-consecutive home games vs.
the Los Angeles Lakers 108-94 on Sunday night inside FedExForum.

Memphis got off to a sluggish start early on in the first quarter, falling
behind 11-2 to start the game. However, Memphis quickly found their rhythm,
finishing the quarter on a 25-7 run, which also included a 17-0 stretch in
favor of the home team. The Grizzlies held a 36-25 lead after the first
period, which saw nine different Grizzlies get in the scoring column.
Desmond Bane sparked the Grizzlies early
on with eight points on 3-of-4 shooting in the first quarter. The Grizzlies
stretched their lead to as many as 12 points in the second quarter before
Los Angeles came storming back. The Lakers put together a 22-8 run to regain
the lead with just over (2:00) to play in the second quarter. Memphis found
themselves down 56-54 at the half, despite shooting 44.9 percent from the
field.

The two clubs traded stops in the third quarter, as neither team was able to
take control of the game. Both teams shot only 36.0 percent in the third
quarter and scored only 21 points, as Los Angeles took a 77-75 lead into the
fourth quarter. The Grizzlies trailed just 95-90 with (3:42) remaining in
the game before the Lakers ripped off a 10-0 run, capped off by a
Kyle Kuzma hook-shot to ice the game away with (1:27)
remaining. The Lakers limited the Grizzlies to just 19 points on 38.1
percent shooting in the final period. The Grizzlies connected on 7-of-10
3-point field goals to begin the game, but Memphis only made 2-of-23 3-point
attempts for the remainder of the game. Memphis shot 66.7 percent from
3-point range in the first quarter before shooting just 12.5 percent from
three in the final three quarters. The Lakers outscored the Grizzlies 21-14
in points off turnovers and 17-12 in fast break points while holding Memphis
to under 100 points for the first time this season.

Kyle Anderson totaled 18 points, four rebounds and two
assists on 7-of-19 shooting. Jonas Valanciunas posted his
sixth-consecutive double-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and one assist
26 minutes. Valanciunas is one of only three players in franchise history to
open a season with at least six straight double-doubles, joining Shareef
Abdur-Rahim (9 straight in 1999-00) and Zach Randolph (11 straight in
2012-13). Desmond Bane added 13 points,
one rebound and two assists while shooting 5-of-8 from the floor. Bane has
made multiple 3-pointers in all of his first six career games.
Tyus Jones totaled 14 points, 5 rebounds and three assists
on 6-of-11 shooting while having zero turnovers.
John Konchar totaled four points, five rebounds, four
assists and three steals while tallying zero turnovers as Memphis dropped to
2-4.

LeBron James led the Lakers with 22 points, 13 rebounds and
eight assists in 32 minutes. James finished shooting 9-of-16 from the floor
and 3-of-6 from three. Anthony Davis posted 17 points, nine
rebounds and three blocks on 6-of-15 shooting.
Marc Gasol posted seven points, six
rebounds and four assists in his first game back inside FedExForum.
Montrezl Harrell added 16 points, nine
rebounds and two steals as Los Angeles improved to 5-2.

The Grizzlies will once again host the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, Jan.
5, at 7 p.m. inside FedExForum. Fans can watch the game on FOX Sports
Southeast or listen on 92.9 FM ESPN.

Fans who want to support the Memphis Grizzlies and purchase 2020-21 Season
Tickets can do so by calling
(901) 888-HOOP or going online
to
grizzlies.com. Single Game Tickets are available for purchase at the
FedExForum Box Office,
ticketmaster.com, online at
grizzlies.com
or by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX.

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