Lakers gameplan for Game 2 vs. Grizzlies.
LOS ANGELES — After beating the Timberwolves to clinch the 7th seed, an overlooked aspect of this Lakers team was their evident exhaustion. The four-day rest that came with clinching the 7th seed paid off heavily with a rejuvenated showing in Sunday’s Game 1 win over the Grizzlies. So what's next? Adjustments and game planning!
The health of Ja Morant
During the second half of Sunday’s win, Grizzlies’ Ja Morant hurt his right hand after driving to the basket and colliding with Anthony Davis, a call that could have gone either way but was called a charge. Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins announced right after the game that Morant’s x-rays on his hand came back negative, leaving his status for Game 2 up in the air.
Morant stated that his status for Game 2 was “in jeopardy.”
The Lakers will prepare as if Morant is playing on Wednesday and should continue to put Jarred Vanderbilt on him. Vanderbilt made sure Morant felt his presence on defensive in Game 1, in a full court press on almost every possession.
“I mean, we just prepare as if he’s playing,” said head coach Darvin Ham. “We don’t try to assume anything or try to make any predictions.”
Whether or not Morant plays in Game 2, the Lakers should keep their foot on the gas and avoid overlooking Memphis, which has one of the best backup point guards in the NBA in Tyus Jones.
In Game 1, Jones finished with 9 points, two rebounds, three assists, and one steal while shooting 4-for-7 (57%) from the field in 24 minutes.
In 22 games this season as a starter, Jones averaged 16.4 points, 8.1 assists, and 4.0 rebounds, according to StatMuse. In that span, the Grizzlies went 13–9.
Containing Jaren Jackson Jr.
In Game 1, Jaren Jackson Jr. was the focal point and primary producer for the Grizzlies' offense and defense, finishing with a game-high 31 points on 2-for-4 shooting from three, and 13-for-21 total from the floor, adding five rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal in 37 minutes.
With Morant’s status up in the air for Game 2, the Grizzlies will look to Jackson Jr. to help carry a huge chunk of the load on both ends, leaving Anthony Davis with the task of keeping him from getting hot.
A critical factor preventing Jackson Jr. from having a big night is avoiding the switch-baiting from Memphis. The Lakers need to have Davis glued to Jackson Jr. by going under each screen to avoid a mismatch for them to take advantage of.
When Davis went to the bench to rest, the Lakers paired Rui Hachimura with Jackson Jr., which was a one-sided matchup even when LeBron was on him. The Lakers need to force him to give up the ball by sending a second defender if Davis isn’t on him in the post.
Dillon Brooks and Desmond Bane
Dillon Brooks and Desmond Bane's production should pick up if Morant is a no-go for Game 2, with both combining for 37 points in Game 1.
Bane, who shot 40.8% from three this season, struggled to find a rhythm from three in Game 1, going 3-for-10. Bane did find success being aggressive in the paint, with 7 of his 22 points coming from the free throw line.
The Lakers could go the route of forcing Brooks to beat them from three. Despite averaging 32.6% from three during the season, Brooks struggled in Game 1, making only 2 out of 9 attempts from three and shooting just 22.2%.
Luke Kennard
With the attention going to Jackson Jr., Bane, Brooks, and possibly Morant, Luke Kennard could be in for a big night if the Lakers don’t take him into account.
Kennard went 1-for-4 (25%) from beyond the arc in Game 1, scoring 7 points in 26 minutes.
With a season average of 49.4% from three, Kennard’s ability to get hot from three is something that demands the Lakers’ full attention every time he touches the floor. With the attention going towards other players on the Grizzlies, don’t be surprised if Kennard has a Rui Hachimura-like performance in Game 2.
Game 2 against the Grizzlies is set for Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. on Spectrum SportsNet and TNT.
