01/15: Remembering MLK - LAKERS @ Memphis Grizzlies 1st Half Open Thread and Discussion

Welcome to the first half open thread of the Lakers-Grizzlies matchup as part of TNT's triple-header on Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Leave a comment below and share your thoughts on the games.

Q2

LAL 50 MEM 60

Big time shot from KCP down the stretch of the 2nd quarter. Major difference being down 10 than being down 13. The Grizzlies had their way during this quarter. They forced a lot of turnovers and gave the Lakers a taste of their own medicine in scoring in transition. You can tell that the Lakers really miss Lonzo Ball because he sets the tempo with his ball handling and court vision. The Lakers are trying to replicate that without him and they're just making all kinds of mistakes forced and unforced. But, somehow, someway the Lakers are hanging around this game. All because the bench brought the energy on both sides of the ball and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is picking up the scoring for the starting five. No question, the defense has to be a lot better. They're not matching the Grizzlies' energy on offense and they're giving them all kinds of cushion to move the ball, shoot in space, and allowing them to cut into the lane for an easy basket. They have to put better ball pressure on defense and if they're gonna play fast and push the tempo, they have to take better care of the ball while running in transition. That was some really ugly ball handling I saw during this first half when the Lakers attempted to run the floor. Second half will open up shortly.

Q1

LAL 27 MEM 34

That was some crazy sequence in the final seconds of the first quarter. Lakers and Grizzlies fighting for the ball. Turnover after turnover and the Lakers capitalize with a floater from Nance Jr. KCP, Ennis, and the bench jumpstarted the Lakers to get back into this game. Memphis was playing at their half court pace and locked in on their threes. They almost cashed in on some turnovers because the Lakers were having a hard time handling the ball while running the floor. Ennis made a couple of aggressive baskets. KCP is in double figures, they're going to need him to pick up the scoring. The 2nd unit are picking it up with the small ball lineup to get things settled for the Lakers.