Last night, your Los Angeles Lakers earned a 111-101 home palm over the high-seeded Memphis Grizzlies, during which LA led line-to-line. The effects began as they could. Led by Lakers starters Anthony Davis, LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell (who scored eight points in the opening frame), Los Angeles outscored Memphis 35-9 in the quarter.
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, LA’s 26-point advantage is tied for the most stylish first quarter in the entire history of the NBA playoffs. Beginning around the interior point of the bout’s alternate quarter, Memphis graciously held back.
As early as the fourth frame, Grizzlies All-Star point guard Za Morant scored 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting (4-6 from deep) to pull his platoon within 10 points late, but that was as close as it got. Griz has arrived.
Los Angeles dominated the first quarter with solid two-way play from two Hall of Famers (James and Davis), great defense from Jared Vanderbilt, and solid scoring from fellow players Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves. Thanks to Davis’ 31-point, 17-answer, three-block night, he made his own history in NBA history.
Since blocks began being counted as a stat in 1973 (after Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlin previously retired), only three other players have recorded 65 or more points, 35 or more rebounds and 15 or more blocks in their first three playoffs.
Games in post-season San Antonio Spurs Hall of Fame power forward/center Tim Duncan, Houston Rockets Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon and Lakers own Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Not bad company to keep.