NBA: Grizzlies, minus Ja Morant, take on improving Lakers

The absence of star Ja Morant is one obstacle for the Memphis Grizzlies when they visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.

Morant will miss his second consecutive game as the team is unable to act while the NBA conducts an investigation into his conduct. Morant was seen holding a gun in a social media video posted live Saturday morning in the Denver area after the Grizzlies’ loss to the Nuggets last night.

Without Morant, Dillon Brooks (one-game suspension), Brandon Clarke (season-ending Achilles injury) and Steven Adams (knee), the Grizzlies staged a third-quarter rally to move past the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. only to run out of gas in the fourth quarter from 135-129 low on the road. Clarke and Adams will also miss the Lakers game.

Memphis used a 51-point third quarter on Sunday to turn an 11-point deficit into a lead as large as 16 points, but lacked the final touch as the Clippers made a fourth-quarter defensive adjustment.

Tyus Jones of the Grizzlies had 20 points in the third quarter, but did not score in the final half. Desmond Bane had 30 points to lead Memphis.

“They take physicality, (which is) something we have to learn,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said of the Clippers’ defense. “Obviously, I think we looked good in the fourth quarter. We missed an open (3-pointer), a couple of layups there, and some chippies that could have turned the tide a little bit, but we guys played phenomenally. I’m proud of them.”

The Lakers also have reason for optimism, entering Tuesday’s contest.

Los Angeles is 4-2 since the All-Star break and has won five of its past seven games overall in its quest to become postseason eligible. At the start of NBA play on Friday, the Lakers were in 11th place in the conference, barely outside of last place to make the play-in tournament.

The team has been able to hold its own of late despite missing star LeBron James for the past four games with a tendon injury in his right leg. Additionally, D’Angelo Russell has missed the past five games with an ankle injury. James remains sidelined, but Russell is listed as questionable for Tuesday.

Anthony Davis is raising his game in an effort to leave his mark on the team’s playoff hunt. Davis, who missed 20 games in December and January with a lower leg injury of his own, has averaged 33.8 points and 11.8 rebounds over the past four games.

In Sunday’s 113-105 home win over the Golden State Warriors, Davis scored 39 points while shooting 14 of 25 (56 percent) from the field. He was listed as probable for Tuesday despite a right leg injury.

“He fought a lot,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said of Davis. “Getting on the face, on the arm, scratches, everything. He’s fighting everything. … He’s in a good, good place right now.”

The Lakers dropped a 121-109 decision at Memphis on February 28, though Davis did his part with 28 points and 19 rebounds. Morant had a triple-double in the contest with 39 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

“We’re in a good rhythm right now,” Davis said, according to the Orange County Register . “No team ever plays a perfect game of basketball, but we want to come out here and do our best job and stick to our plan on both ends of the floor and give ourselves a chance to win.”

RELATED STORY

Read Next

For suggestions, complaints, or questions, please contact us.