LeBron James leads Lakers past Grizzlies 117-111 in OT for 3-1 lead

LOS ANGELES(AP) — LeBron James made the tying layup with 0.8 seconds left inregulation before scoring four of his 22 points in overtime, andthe Los Angeles Lakers surged to a 3-1 lead in their first-roundplayoff series with a 117-111 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies onMonday night.

The38-year-old James also grabbed a career playoff-high 20 reboundsand added seven assists and two blocked shots while committing justone turnover in his 270th playoff game, extending his own NBArecord. He became the first Lakers player to put up 20 points and20 rebounds in a playoff game since Shaquille O’Neal in 2004.

Austin Reavesscored 23 points and Anthony Davis had five of his 17 in overtimefor the seventh-seeded Lakers, who have won two straight home gamesto move to the brink of their first playoff series victory outsidethe Florida bubble since 2012.

Los Angelessurged back from a seven-point deficit with five minutes left inregulation with a rally that abruptly began when D’Angelo Russellhit three consecutive 3-pointers, and the Lakers never trailed inOT.

“I’m so proudof our guys, the way we fought,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “Wefound a way.”

Game 5 isWednesday night in Memphis.

Desmond Banescored 36 points and hit a tiebreaking layup with 6.7 seconds leftin regulation for the second-seeded Grizzlies, who will have torally from a 3-1 series deficit and win a Game 7 for the first timein franchise history to advance.

Ja Morantscored 19 points with his injured right hand, but Davis blocked hisjumper at the regulation buzzer. The Grizzlies then missed six oftheir first eight shots in overtime while committing two keyturnovers.

DillonBrooks, who dismissed James as “old” after Game 2, had 11 pointsfor Memphis after getting ejected from Game 3 for striking James inthe groin.

James coollyscored the basket that forced overtime over heavy defensivepressure, and he hit a huge layup while getting fouled to put theLakers up by five with 29.1 seconds to play in OT. Dennis Schröderand Austin Reaves buried two free throws apiece to seal the Lakers’12th win in 15 games dating to the regular season.

The Lakerstrailed for much of the second half, and Davis didn’t look sharpfor much of Game 4 while struggling with an apparent hip injurythat required a heating pad on the bench. But Davis blocked fourshots, and the Lakers excelled whenever the big man was protectingthe rim.

Morant’s45-point performance in Game 3 wasn’t enough to dig the Grizzliesout of an early 29-point hole in his first game back from an injuryabsence with a sore right hand. He then reacted with obvious painafter he jammed the hand into the ground again during the secondhalf of Game 4, but kept playing and even dunked on Rui Hachimuraan instant before the third-quarter buzzer.

The Grizzliesfell behind by an NBA record-tying 26 points after a historicallybad first quarter in Game 3, but they dramatically improved theirstart in Game 4. The Lakers still jumped out to a 15-point lead inthe first half before Memphis got back in it with a big surge toclose the first half.

TIP-INS

Grizzlies:Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe watched the game fromcourtside. Sharpe, a Fox Sports commentator and a huge LeBron fan,got into a shouting match with several Grizzlies and Morant’sfather during their visit to face the Lakers in January, requiringsecurity to intervene. There was no apparent drama this time out.... Jaren Jackson Jr. kneed Schröder very near the groin whilesetting a screen in the fourth quarter, but assessed only a commonfoul after video review.

Lakers: Thecelebrity-studded sellout crowd included Prince Harry and MeghanMarkle, who watched from a luxury box. Edward Norton, Adam Sandler,USC coach Lincoln Riley and Diddy also attended. ... JarredVanderbilt scored 15 points and even hit his first 3-pointer in 20days during the first quarter. His impressive defense has been morevaluable than his balky offensive game for the Lakers, who quicklyput him in the starting lineup after his arrival at the tradedeadline.