Hachimura’s big 2nd half leads Lakers past Grizzlies in Game 1

MEMPHIS,Tenn. (AP) — Rui Hachimura had a career-best playoff scoringperformance with 29 points, including 21 in the second half, andLeBron James added 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Los AngelesLakers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 128-112 on Sunday in the openinggame of their Western Conference playoff series.

AustinReaves added 23 points, including nine straight in the closingminutes as the Lakers pulled away. Anthony Davis had 22 points and12 rebounds, and D’Angelo Russell, who scored only two points inthe Lakers’ play-in win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, finishedwith 19 points.

JarenJackson Jr. led Memphis with 31 points, while Desmond Bane scored22. Ja Morant had 18 points before leaving in the fourth quarterwith an injured right hand.

Los Angeleswrested home-court advantage from the Grizzlies, who had the NBA’sbest home record at 35-6. Game 2 is Wednesday at FedExForum.

It wasHachimura from Japan who provided Los Angeles some breathing roomin the third quarter, connecting on all four of his 3-pointattempts. Hachimura’s only previous playoff experience was in 2021with Washington, which lost a first-round series to Philadelphia.The Lakers acquired him from the Wizards in a midseason trade.

The Lakersearned the seventh seed in the West by beating Minnesota in theplay-in tournament. Los Angeles missed the playoffs in 2022 and waseliminated in the first round by the Phoenix Suns a yearearlier.

Memphisfinished with 51 wins, its second straight 50-victory season, toearn the No. 2 seed.

The Lakersled by as much as 10 in the first half as Memphis faced some earlyballhandling woes. Jarred Vanderbilt’s defense kept Morant out ofthe paint for a while. But Memphis outscored the Lakers 38-27 inthe second quarter to carry a 65-59 lead into the break.

TIP-INS

Lakers:This is the first time Los Angeles has faced Memphis in thepostseason. ... Davis left the court late in the second quarterwith an injury to his right arm. He returned to start the secondhalf. ... The first Los Angeles turnover came with 8:41 left in thesecond quarter. Its second came a minute later. ... James passedRobert Horry for 24th on the Los Angeles all-time playoff scoringlist in the second quarter.

Grizzlies:C Steven Adams (right knee PCL sprain) and C/F Brandon Clarke (leftAchilles tendon tear) were out and are expected to miss theplayoffs. ... Morant played with his right hand wrapped from whatcoach Taylor Jenkins described as a contusion in his pregameavailability. Morant hurt the hand again in the fourth quarter whenhe landed awkwardly on the hand, called for a charge againstDavis.