Lakers vs. Grizzlies, 112-96: The Blues In Memphis

The Lakers got thrashed by the Grizzlies in a disappointing effort

The Los Angeles Lakers have been a disaster defensively all season, which is both an understatement and the defining characteristic of the 2015-16 season for this team to this point. However, it may not have ever been as evident as it was on Sunday afternoon inside the FedExForum against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Memphis came into the matchup with the fifth-worst offense in terms of efficiency in the league, but the Lakers defense made them look like world-beaters. The Grizzlies had 92 points through three quarters and likely would have put up around 125 had they not sent in their reserves in a display of mercy.

It was the problems that have been prevalent with the Los Angeles defense all season that haunted them again in Memphis. They failed to get out to the corners and the wings to get hands in the faces of shooters, they failed to stop dribble-penetration, and Roy Hibbert was absolutely demolished by both Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph in the post. Throw in an obvious air of apathy for the Lakers and it was a tough outing to stomach. 

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But perhaps the biggest issue with the Lakers is that Byron Scott again reverted to his ways of stifling the progress of this team and the organization as a whole. After D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle helped spearhead somewhat of a comeback of against the Los Angeles Clippers on Christmas Day, Scott though it would be a better idea to play a struggling Lou Williams in favor of Russell and even pull Russell in garbage time in favor of Marcelo Huertas.

If there’s one positive to take away from the showing in Memphis, it was undoubtedly the performance of rookie Larry Nance Jr. For all the problems that the Lakers showcased against the Grizzlies, Nance was smart, aggressive, and productive as he put together his complete arsenal of skills for arguably the first full game this season.

Even with Nance’s performance, though, it’s hard for fans to not walk away from this game with a bit of a disgusting taste in their mouth and their heads hanging a little lower. This team has enough talent to not be this bad. This team has enough promise to not be embarrassed, to not be a laughing stock—yet here we are.

Three Stars

Larry Nance Jr. was the only Lakers player with a performance of note. The rookie played only 25 minutes, but finished the night with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals while shooting 8-12 from the field.

Mike Conley gets the next star because, frankly, no other Lakers deserve it. He finished the game with 19 points, five assists, four rebounds, and four steals as he picked apart the Lakers.

Marc Gasol also picked the Lakers apart, finishing the outing with 16 points, six assists, and three rebounds on 7-11 shooting.

Highlights

"Kobe Bryant starts it off right"

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/681255640082288640

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/681257899163815936

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/681273478264270849

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/681275186142818306

Odds

The Grizzlies were 9.5-point favorites in this game, which they handily covered. The two teams also hit the over on the 195-point O/U line because the Lakers defense was in full effect.

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Next Game

The Lakers will play the second night of a road back-to-back on Monday night as they take on the Charlotte Hornets.

The Grizzlies will be back in action at home on Tuesday to take on the Miami Heat.