Lakers edge Grizzlies on Dennis Schröder’s clutch play

LOS ANGELES — Lakers fans’ nails have been whittled to nubs over the last two weeks. Seven of the team’s last nine games have come down to one possession in the last minute.

For the Lakers, most of them have been heartbreakers. But on Friday night – on national television against a top Western Conference contender riding an 11-game winning streak – magic finally happened for the home team.

Dennis Schröder plucked victory from the hands of Desmond Bane, taking advantage of a double team and dashing down for an and-one layup that proved to be the edge the Lakers (21-25) needed in a thrilling 122-121 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies (31-14) at Crypto.com Arena.

It was a needed boost from Schröder on a night when LeBron James was often stymied offensively, and the Lakers were bullied on the boards. It also reversed a troubling trend: The Lakers’ last three losses had come by only 10 combined points, potential wins squandered by bad late possessions, mistakes and a dash of ill luck on the whistle. On Friday, all three came together late to help get the Lakers back on track against the top-ranked defense in the NBA.

Schröder finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists – a performance perhaps second only to Russell Westbrook (29 points, six assists) in keeping the Lakers competitive with the Grizzlies, who had five scorers with 16 points or more.

Schröder had made a key pair of free throws just before his steal, then flipped the game with 7.6 seconds left. The Grizzlies got a look for Ja Morant that he missed, but had a chance to tie with Brandon Clarke at the free-throw line. Clarke missed the second free throw, effectively giving his team the loss.

James and Westbrook made a pair of critical putbacks for each other in the final minutes to keep the Lakers within striking distance.

James ran up against Dillon Brooks, one of the most physical defenders he’s faced this season who was unafraid to bump shoulders and hips to counter James’ catches. The Grizzlies also allotted plenty of help behind Brooks – including All-Defensive team big man Jaren Jackson Jr. patrolling behind.

With James struggling from the floor (8 for 21, 23 points), Westbrook stepped in to fill the void, stirring the Lakers’ offense with aggressive drives into the space created by Memphis’ deference to James. Westbrook even had some success with his jump shot, including a pair of 3-pointers.

It was all the better that Westbrook was aggressive: The Grizzlies simply abused the Lakers on the glass, getting new life with their whopping 23 offensive rebounds. The 38 second-chance points were the most the Lakers have allowed all season.

The basketball was upstaged at the end of the first half by the smoke on the sidelines: The entire Grizzlies bench ventured over to the corner of the court across from their bench to exchange words with Fox Sports commentator and former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe, who acknowledged he had been clucking at Brooks and calling him “too small” to guard James, according to ESPN. Memphis center Steven Adams was the most animated Grizzly in the scene, towering above security with his hair pulled out of his typical bun.

The affair concluded with Sharpe and Ja Morant’s father Tee Morant issuing statements to different outlets (Morant told TNT that he and Sharpe are “all good”) and settling back in their seats. At the third quarter break, they even shook hands and hugged, to show they had flushed the beef.

But the second half was when Ja Morant started going off himself, perhaps lit by his father’s dust-up. After a 2-for-10 start from the field, Morant wound up shooting 6 for 12 with 14 points in the third quarter, winding his way into the paint on his trademark explosive drives.

The Grizzlies led by as much as 13 points in the third quarter, but Westbrook helped wrestle the margin back into single digits, hitting a bank shot with one second remaining in the period.

More to come on this story.

DENNIS SCHRODER STEAL & SCORE GIVES THE LAKERS THE LEAD

7.6 SECONDS LEFT ON ESPN pic.twitter.com/MLxkaGY3MP

— NBA (@NBA) January 21, 2023

WHAT A FINISH in Los Angeles!

Lakers come back for the dramatic win vs. Memphis pic.twitter.com/ab4TZm7Ql8

— NBA (@NBA) January 21, 2023