LA Lakers take 3-1 first-round playoff series lead against the Memphis Grizzlies

LeBron James scored 22 points, including a layup to force overtime and another late in overtime, as the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a 117-111 victory over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies on Monday to take an impressive 3- 1 lead in a first-round Western Conference playoff series.

James added a career-high 20 rebounds as Austin Reaves scored 23 points for the seventh-seeded Lakers, who have their first chance to eliminate the Grizzlies in Game 5 on Wednesday in Memphis.

The last Laker to score more than 20 points and more than 20 rebounds in a playoff game was Shaquille O’Neal in 2004.

D’Angelo Russell scored 17 points for the Lakers, sinking three important three-pointers in the fourth quarter before committing an error. Anthony Davis was held to 12 points for Los Angeles while suffering from hip issues following a second quarter injury. However, he scored five points in overtime and finished with 11 rebounds.

James made a layup with 0.8 seconds left in regulation time and sealed the win on another layup with 29.4 seconds left in overtime when he was fouled by Dillon Brooks. He missed the ensuing free throw, but gave Los Angeles a 113–108 lead.

Desmond Bane scored 36 points and Ja Morant added 19 for the second-seeded Grizzlies, who are 0-3 in the series with Morant on floor. Memphis secured a 103-93 victory in Game 2 as Morant was out with a sore right hand.

Morant aggravated his injury in the third quarter on Monday, but remained in the game.

Years Jackson Jr. collected 14 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks for Memphis, while Xavier Tillman added 12 points.

The Grizzlies took the lead in an end-to-end series late in regulation when Jackson blocked a Dunk attempt by Rui Hachimura with 10.8 seconds left. Morant led a fastbreak and sent a behind-the-back pass to Bane for a 104–102 lead with 6.7 seconds remaining.

James tied the Lakers with 0.8 seconds left on his driving layup, and Davis blocked a shot from Morant at the rule buzzer.

The Lakers led 29-23 after one quarter, but it was a much better 12 minutes for the Grizzlies than Saturday when they were outscored 35-9 in the opening period. Los Angeles led by as many as 15 in the second quarter before Memphis finished the half with a 14-1 run to come within 54-52 at halftime.