The Los Angeles Lakers’ matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies will be one of the more intriguing series the NBA will have to offer as the playoffs begin this weekend.
Memphis is considered a slight favorite, but many believe the Lakers have at least a real shot of knocking off Ja Morant and crew and advancing to the Western Conference semifinals for only the second time in the last 11 seasons.
Buy Lakers TicketsAgainst the Minnesota Timberwolves in Tuesday’s play-in tournament game, the Lakers received very little production from players not named LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder.
In the eyes of team legend Magic Johnson, such players have to step up and play up to their potential, and he said he would also like guard Lonnie Walker IV to get some playing time.
If the @Lakers are going to beat the Memphis Grizzlier they have to control the pace and the role players like Reaves, Schröder, D Lo, Beasley, Hachimura, and Troy Brown Jr. have to play great to help AD and LeBron. I’d also like to see Lonnie Walker play in the Memphis series.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 12, 2023
On Tuesday, D’Angelo Russell shot 1-of-9 (although he did have eight assists against one turnover), Austin Reaves went 4-of-13 and Troy Brown Jr missed all but one of his five shot attempts.
Rui Hachimura was just 3-of-8, but he hit a couple of key shots to help the Lakers’ cause, and although Malik Beasley was efficient, he got up just three shots in 14 minutes.
Walker has fallen out of head coach Darvin Ham’s rotation since the trade deadline, but he has gained spot duty on occasion, and he is still a threat to hit from the outside.
Game 1 against the Grizzlies is set to tip off at noon Pacific time on Sunday.
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