Rival stares down LeBron as Lakers lose; Bucks’ perfect start without Giannis: Playoffs Wrap

The Memphis Grizzlies shook off the absence of star guard Ja Morant to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 103-93 and knot their NBA Western Conference playoff collection at one recreation apiece.

Xavier Tillman scored 22 factors and pulled down 18 rebounds to guide the Grizzlies, who led by as many as 20 factors in a bruising battle that noticed Lakers middle Anthony Davis endure a small minimize on his proper eyelid and LeBron James drawn right into a verbal forwards and backwards with Dillon Brooks.

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With All-Star level guard Morant dominated out with a bruised proper hand, the Grizzlies clamped down defensively, Tillman saying their message to Morant was “we’ve got his back, and we’re going to hold it down for him.” Tillman keyed Memphis’s fast begin, connecting on his first six pictures and ending 10-of-13 from the ground.

The Grizzlies led by as many as 16 factors on the best way to a 59-44 halftime lead because the harried Lakers didn’t discover a approach to get their offence firing.

Davis blocked 5 pictures within the first half however linked on simply one in every of 9 shot makes an attempt. He completed with 13 factors on four-of-14 taking pictures.

James led all scorers with 28 factors and Japan’s Rui Hachimura added 20 to grow to be the primary Laker to attain 20 factors off the bench in back-to-back playoff video games since Magic Johnson in 1996.

But in contrast to in recreation one, there can be no late resurgence for the Lakers, the Grizzlies absorbing the Lakers’ second-half push.

Jaren Jackson Jr., the newly named NBA Defensive Player of the Year, scored 18 factors, Desmond Bane added 17 and Brooks chipped in 12. Tyus Jones, beginning instead of Morant, added 10 and eight assists.

After the Grizzlies pushed their result in 20 factors early within the third quarter, the Lakers started to push again.

Two baskets and two free throws from James launched a 17-3 Lakers scoring run that sliced the deficit to 6 factors, however that’s as shut as they’d get the remainder of the best way.

Now, Tillman mentioned, the Grizzlies will summon a “road warrior mentality” for recreation three of the best-of-seven collection in Los Angeles.

NO GIANNIS BUT BUCKS MAKE PERFECT START

Elsewhere the Milwaukee Bucks had been with out Giannis Antetokounmpo as they tried to claw again a victory in opposition to the Miami Heat of their Eastern Conference first-round collection.

Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, suffered a decrease again contusion within the first quarter of the Eastern Conference high seeds’ 130-117 loss in recreation one.

The Bucks, the highest seeds within the East and homeowners of the very best regular-season document within the league, had hoped he can be match to return however he was dominated out lower than two hours earlier than tip-off.

“He’s continued to improve,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer mentioned earlier than the sport. “But organisationally, talking and working with him and the sports performance group, a decision was made. He’s out.”

The Bucks made an ideal begin with out Antetokounmpo, charging out to a 81-55 lead at halftime on the again of a 46-point second quarter.

Two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, in the meantime, sought to increase their collection lead over Minnesota after they hosted the Timberwolves in recreation two of their Western Conference conflict.