Austin Reaves let his feelings out after the shot, which bounced three times before going past the basket, had hardly registered. Reaves said, “I’m him,” although he probably meant it for the more than 18,000 astonished spectators who had gathered in the FedEx Forum.
The Lakers defeated Memphis in Game 1 of their first-round series, and boy, are the Grizzlies in trouble. Anthony Davis dominated the game. LeBron James performed well. Reaves and Rui Hachimura scored 52 points together. Ja Morant missed the last six minutes of the game after landing awkwardly on his right hand. Although X-rays came back negative, Morant said after the game that his participation in Game 2 was “in jeopardy.”‘
Coach Taylor Jenkins of the Grizzlies stated, “He’s in some pain.” “That was a hard fall. More analysis over the next two days.
This was never your ordinary clash between a second seed and a seventh seed. The Grizzlies stumbled into the playoffs. There is no Steven Adams. And Brandon Clarke. Morant had been struggling with a hand ailment even before this most recent setback. The Lakers, on the other hand, finished the season winning six of their final seven games and were 18-9 following the trade deadline.
Lakers Reverse the Script
But after Game 1, it’s reasonable to question if the Lakers ought to be the favourites.
Davis was a genius. With 22 points, he won. He grabbed 12 rebounds. He blocked seven shots. Coach Darvin Ham of the Lakers described him as their middle linebacker. Davis was waiting for Morant when he drove the paint. He outperformed everyone with a plus-27 score, seven points more. Davis and Jaren Jackson Jr. collided late in the second quarter. His arm became numb. The ABC halftime broadcast pondered whether the injury curse had befallen Davis once more. Instead, Davis came back and ended the second half as the greatest player on the field.
He also had support. James and Davis addressed the club last week after the Lakers defeated Minnesota in the play-in game to claim a playoff position. Davis and James have extensive postseason background. James has more postseason experience (266 games) than the entire Grizzlies club (215) before the start of Game 1. The other Lakers didn’t, though. Ham concentrated on offensive execution during L.A.’s four days off. “That’s a hell of a team over there,” Ham added. “Excellent defensive unit. No pass shot, just one pass shot won’t cut it.
The message from James and Davis was straightforward: The playoffs are different. the materiality. the tenacity. James emphasised the need for players to be more “dialled in.” Recognise assignments. Do not commit errors. Don’t let your defence stand idle for several possessions.
No kidding, Reaves emphasised. “You have no option but to follow [those two individuals’] guidance when you have them. We have a great opportunity when we lock in, anyway.
Reaves excelled in his first postseason game. 23 were his total. Of his 13 shots, he made eight of them. On three of his five threes, he made contact. James scored three points in the fourth quarter. With 14, Reaves led the Lakers. James stated, “We found something that was working. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” is an ancient adage.
James stated that since Reaves’ signing in 2021, he has held Reaves in the highest respect. He was aware “from the first practise” that Reaves wouldn’t be a two-way contract player for very long. He gave previous head coach Frank Vogel credit for allowing Reaves the space to play through his errors. James remarked, “I’ve been in the game long enough to recognise tremendous basketball IQ players. “I am aware of the guys who work well for my style of play. Austin would be that, I knew.
Hachimura as well. On Sunday, Hachimura scored 29 points in 30 minutes. Hachimura’s adjustment to the Lakers has been rocky. According to Hachimura, the roster changes and Los Angeles’ injury problems made it “hard to get into a rhythm.” Ham urged him to continue being aggressive. to provide vigour. James continued to offer him words of support. James stated, “He’s asked me several times what I can do to help the team win. “His size, athleticism, and presence alone add another dynamic.”
a successful one. The Lakers won the first-game home-court advantage, and the Grizzlies are unsure if their best player will be fit enough to participate in Game 2. The favourite was always going to have it tough in this series. if they can still be regarded as the favourite.