Lakers obliterate Grizzlies 125-85, advance to 2nd round

LOS ANGELES(AP) — Anthony Davis had 16 points and 14 rebounds while blockingfive shots in a spectacular defensive performance, D’Angelo Russellscored a career playoff-high 31 points and the Los Angeles Lakerscompleted their first-round upset of the Memphis Grizzlies with a125-85 victory in Game 6 on Friday night.

LeBron Jamesscored 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting for the seventh-seeded Lakers,who emphatically clinched a playoff series in their own arena forthe first time since 2012.

The Lakerswon all three of their home games in the series, and the finalvictory was a scary demonstration of their capabilities when Jamesand Davis are both healthy. Davis’ imposing defensive presencelargely shut down Memphis’ offense in Game 6, while Russell’s five3-pointers highlighted an impressive offensive effort from alate-blooming team with championship aspirations.

The Lakerstook a 20-point lead in the first half and went up by 36 in thethird quarter before coasting to victorybeforesuperfan Jack Nicholsonand a roaring crowd. James andDavis even got to sit out the entire fourth quarter, preservingtheir legs for the second round.

The Lakershad to win a play-in game just to reach a playoff series, althoughthis star-studded team is no ordinary seventh seed. Los Angelesopens its next series on the road Tuesday against the winner ofSunday’s Game 7 between Sacramento and defending champion GoldenState.

Ja Morantscored 10 points on 3-of-16 shooting for the Grizzlies, who won 107games and two Southwest Division titles in the past two seasons,but just one playoff series.

Morant’sinjured right hand appeared to hamper his shot, and he seemedunwilling to drive the paint with his usual fearlessness whileDavis loomed in the middle. Morant’s teammates couldn’t pick himup: Desmond Bane, who guaranteed a Game 7, had 15 points on 5-of-16shooting, while Jaren Jackson Jr. had 14 on 3-of-12 shooting.

DillonBrooks, the Memphis agitator who dismissed James as “old” afterGame 2 and then got ejected from Game 3 for striking James in thegroin, finished a dismal series performance with 10 points in Game6 while Lakers fans booed his every move.

The Lakershadn’t won a playoff series outside the Florida bubble in 11 years,enduring a dismal decade-plus for a 17-time champion franchise witha fan base used to excellence.

James andDavis have won a title together, but they had done little toremember in front of their home fans before the past two months,when their supporting cast markedly improved at the trade deadlinewith several additions headlined by Russell. The dynamic duoimproved to 5-0 in playoff series in which they both appeared inevery game together.

The Grizzlieshad the second-worst road record among the NBA’s 16 playoff teamsin the regular season, and they lost their first four road gamesagainst the Lakers this season. They fell into a 3-1 hole in thisseries with back-to-back losses in Los Angeles, but staved offelimination by winning in Memphis on Wednesday.

Lakers fanssensed the enormity of the moment and turned out in force,highlighted by the return of the 86-year-old Nicholson to hiscourtside seats after a nearly two-year absence. Their teamdelivered, jumping to a 20-point lead in the first half andstretching it to 36 in the third quarter.

The Grizzliesplayed without 3-point threat Luke Kennard due to a sore shoulder,further hurting the depth on a roster already missing injuredregulars Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke.

JACK’SBACK

Nicholsonwatched his beloved team for the first time since October 2021,returning to his usual seats alongside his son. The Lakers’ mostfamous fan has been a fixture at courtside for the lasthalf-century, and the Oscar-winning actor got a huge ovation fromhis fellow supporters whenever his face appeared on thescoreboard.

TIP-INS

Grizzlies:Kennard went through a pregame workout before getting ruled out. Hegot a stinger in Game 5. ... Xavier Tillman scored two points in 18minutes.

Lakers:Nicholson’s return was the highlight of a celebrity-studded nightat courtside, where the fans included Larry David, Dr. Dre, Adeleand Kyrie Irving, who got a big hug from James before the game.Irving is a free agent this summer, and he has been linked to areunion with James repeatedly in recent years. ... Austin Reaveshad 11 points, eight assists and six rebounds.