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Anthony Davis had 22 points, eight rebounds and four blocks,
LeBron James finished with 19 points, six rebounds and six
assists, and Russell Westbrook had 13 points and 13 assists for
the Lakers, who avoided starting 0-3 for the second time in four
years.
Ja Morant had 40 points and 10 assists, Desmond Bane scored 17
points and Steven Adams contributed 14 points and 16 rebounds
for the Grizzlies, who were trying to start 3-0.
Morant had a chance to tie the score with 1.9 seconds left after
getting fouled on a desperation 3-point attempt. He made the
first two free throws, but missed the third.
Anthony grabbed the rebound and was fouled. He sank both free
throws to seal the win. Anthony, who went 6-for-8 from 3-point
range, passed Moses Malone for ninth all-time in NBA scoring.
Anthony made a high-arcing 3-pointer to give the Lakers a 97-94
lead with 9:03 left in the game. He was left alone on the next
possession and made a wide-open 3-pointer to make it 100-94 with
8:22 remaining.
Morant and James traded 3s before Malik Monk made a 3 for a
106-97 lead with 7:03 to go.
The Lakers had a chance to extend the lead back to double
figures, but Monk missed a driving layup with 6:26 left and
Melton capped a 5-0 run with a 3-pointer to cut the lead back to
106-102 with 5:37 left.
Both teams held double-digit leads in the first half before the
game stayed tight in the third quarter. The Grizzlies eventually
took a 90-87 lead into the fourth.
The Lakers fell behind by 10 points five minutes into the game,
but found their touch with help from Anthony, who replaced
starting center DeAndre Jordan and scored the final five points
in a 7-0 run to close the opening quarter and give the Lakers a
29-24 lead.
Anthony then sank a 3-pointer on the first possession of the
second quarter to extend the Lakers' run to 10-0 and give them a
32-24 lead.
--Field Level Media
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