The Memphis Grizzlies played up to the level of their stiff competition on Monday, but they came up short of an upset as the Los Angeles Lakers held on for a 105-96 win at FedEx Forum.
The night began with a chilly reception for former Grizzly Marc Gasol, who heard boos as he was introduced, although a video highlight tribute during the game’s first timeout evoked a standing ovation. His return to Memphis also brought out local Laker fans, who wore Pau jerseys and cheered against the hometown Grizzlies.
The much-anticipated post matchup of the Gasol brothers did not disappoint as the two banged against each other and battled all night long. In the end the elder Pau got the best of his little brother, recording 15 points and seven rebounds to Marc’s eight points and seven rebounds.
The Grizzlies (9-18) came out hot, shooting around 50 percent for most of the game. They knocked down plenty of perimeter jumpers and battled the Lakers (22-5) on the boards. Interestingly, Kobe Bryant didn’t really look for his own shot much in the first half, instead opting to try to get his teammates involved. It seemed like the Lakers were either taking it easy on the Grizzlies or almost overlooking them.
Bryant ended up with probably the quietest 36 points imaginable as the Lakers closed the game with a 17-3 run to spoil the Grizzlies’ upset bid and avoid a third straight loss. The Grizzlies finally lost their shooting touch down the stretch, managing only an O.J. Mayo 3-pointer in the game’s final three minutes. Over the final 3:30 they saw a five-point lead disappear. Even in the final minute, there was plenty of drama left as the score was tied until Bryant’s 3-pointer with 34.8 seconds left put the Lakers ahead to stay 99-96. The Grizzlies hurt themselves by turning the ball over six times in the fourth quarter.
Five Grizzlies scored in double figures, led by Rudy Gay’s 23 points. Mayo scored 22, Hakim Warrick 14, Darko Milicic 11 and Mike Conley 10.
The Grizzlies travel to Dallas tonight to take on the 15-11 Mavericks.
Keywords: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies, O.J. Mayo, Pau Gasol, Rudy Gay
