Grizzlies without Ja sneak past Lakers; Xavier Tillman drops career-high; LeBron provides 28 for LA

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Grizzlies found out an hour before tipoff that they would be without their talisman Ja Morant, who injured his hand while going for a drive in the paint during game 1. Ja's hand was aching too much for him to go as even before the game he had already been listed as a game time decision.

The Grizzlies and Ja decided for his teammates to get the job done for him, and that they did.

Xavier Tillman, a third-year player out of Michigan State dropped a career high 22-points and added 13 rebounds, Tillmans production helped Memphis as they even up the series after beating LA 103-93, as the series returns to LA for Game 2. Game 2 of Lakers Grizzlies, Saturday 10:00 P.M. Live on ESPN.

Grizzlies Coach Taylor Jenkins spoke about the game after the win against LA, “Obviously, this is a big win for us," Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said. “You know, great performance from him (Tillman), other guys as well.” Jenkins added.

The Grizzlies decided to sit Morant after in the leadup to the game Morant who injured his hand in an attempt to drive to the basket late in Game 1 . Morant had additional exams on the hand before being declared inactive and watched from the bench with his hand bandaged.

Grizzlies Coach Taylor Jenkins labeled the decision, "a collective decision". The Grizzlies hope to improvement in Morant's hand as he continues to improve. Memphis hopes that Ja will be back for game 3 but Taylor Jenkins could not comment on Morant's Game 3 status.

"Hopefully over the next couple of days, there’s more significant improvement,” Jenkins added.

Morant's teammates carried the load for him, Memphis did no miss Ja at all in Game 2.

Memphis led by as much as 20 point in the game, throughout the game the Grizzlies had their whole arena yelling "Whoop That Trick" as Memphis secured this series to go to at least 5 games.

The Grizzlies weren't just without Ja, as they lost Brandon Clarke and Steven Adams earlier in the season. Tyus jones and Xavier Tillman carried the load for Memphis with their injuries during this series.

“He was big time for us tonight and a big reason why we got the win,” guard Tyus Jones said.

Memphis's depth showed in Game 1 and it was a huge reason as to why they dominated LA throughout most of the game. The New NBA Defensive Player, Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 18 points, Desmond Bane had 17, while Jones had 10 points and eight assists after only finding out an hour before the game that he would be starting in place for Morant.

LeBron James gave Tyus Jones his praise after the game, LeBron pointed out how much better Memphis are with Tyus in the lineup. LeBron also pointed that Tyus Jones has led the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio for five straight seasons, the longest such streak in NBA history. The very reason as to why he's been in such a good point guard in this league for years,

“They’re just as dangerous a team when Tyus is starting,” James said. “They don’t miss a beat, and we knew that. No matter if Ja’s in the game. If Ja’s starting, dangerous. If Tyus is starting, dangerous. It didn’t change our approach.”

LeBron led the way for Los Angeles with 28 Points, tying Tim Duncan at fourth most all-time with his 103rd career playoff game with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Only Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are ahead of LeBron in that leaderboard.

Bench star Rui Hachimura followed up his impressive Game 1 performance with another bright outing in Game 2, scoring 20 points. However, on the other hand Anthony Davis did not have a good game, shooting 4-14 in Game 2, finishing with only 13 points and eight rebounds.

The Los Angeles Lakers, who had previously won four-straight games and had won 11 of the last 13 they'd played, saw their winning streak snapped. They now head home back to Los Angeles with not a very impressive performance in Game 2.

Los Angeles were like a pastry store on the corner in the beginning of the game, dishing out 5 of their 10 turnovers in the first quarter. Memphis smelled the blood in the water and struck LA for their mistakes, and took advantage of it, Memphis would go on a 22-8 run after the ten point off of LA's turnovers in the first quarter. In the 22-8 run, there were 2 threes that were daggers right into the Lakers side. 2 3s from rookie David Roddy and Luke Kennard respectively, Kennard would draw a four point play as well.

Lakers Coach Darvin Ham spoke about his team's defensive effort against a physical team like Memphis.

“That throws everyone’s rhythm off,” Ham said on the turnovers.

Memphis led 30-19 after the first, with help from Desmond Bane who had 10 points in the first. Memphis dominated the area down under as they had 20 points in the paint in the first quarter when LA only had 19 points collectively. Memphis would also pour it on in the second quarter as they outscored LA 29-25. Memphis was up 59-44 going into halftime.

The closest LA got in the game was 6 points at 73-67 after a stellar stretch of play from Rui Hachimura who scored 11 points in the third. Memphis would respond to LA's punch when they went on a 10-4 run to close the 3rd quarter at 83-71.

The Lakers tried their best to get back in the game but after LeBron's layup with 3:10 remaining in the game it was all but over as Memphis would score 5 straight including a dagger from Dillion Brooks, who would the try and provoke LeBron Jokes.

Brooks spoke postgame about LeBron.

"I don't care," Brooks said when discussing the 38-year-old James. "He's old. … I poke bears. I don't respect no one till they come and give me 40."

Not the smartest thing to provoke LeBron James. LeBron will be looking forward to Game 3 in LA, to lead LA to a win, and have a good performance himself.

Game 3 of the first round western conference playoffs between Memphis and Los Angeles is Saturday at 10:00 Live on ABC.