Just as they did in Game 1, the Los Angeles Lakers made a big statement to the Memphis Grizzlies and the rest of the NBA in Game 3 of their playoff series on Saturday night.
This time, they got it done with a dominant first quarter that saw them on top by the score of 35-9 after 12 minutes. Memphis tried to fight back later on, but it was to no avail, as the Lakers secured a 111-101 win and took a 2-1 series lead.
It was a physical and chippy contest in which L.A. was the aggressor. Early in the third quarter, Dillon Brooks hit LeBron James in the groin, got called for a flagrant 2 foul and was ejected. It was one of a few dust-ups throughout the game before an amped-up Crypto.com Arena crowd.
Fans on Twitter were pleased with the victory.
how Lakers fans sleeping tonight pic.twitter.com/FcCpgvqzCl
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 23, 2023
We won but that point gap should've been more… We took our foot off the gas and allowed them back into it .. however.. good win
— BrandonSX🇶🇦🇸🇦🇦🇪 (@brandondidier11) April 23, 2023
Laker Nation, the @Lakers played surperb and physical on both ends of the court tonight! Our two superstars led the way in the 111-101 win over the Grizzlies. Anthony Davis finished with 31 points and 17 rebounds and LeBron ended with 25 points and 9 rebounds.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 23, 2023
Laker Nation, I want to give a shoutout to the @Lakers fans because Crypto Arena was so loud and they were hollering d-e-f-e-n-s-e the first minute of the game!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 23, 2023
Nice revenge win for the Lakers. Only problem was, they let Ja regain his rhythm and wind up with 45. It feels like a moral loss for Memphis – they hung in and take late-game momentum into Monday night.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 23, 2023
Lakers will take care of business again at home and go up 3-1. Book it #LakeShow
— LakeShowStop (@LakeShowStop) April 23, 2023
🚫👉🐻 pic.twitter.com/UX7oyFUIJs
— Jack Perkins (@purehoop) April 23, 2023
Didn't realize it but the first Lakers playoff game I've been to since Dwight got kicked out and the Lakers were starting Darius Morris and Andrew Goudlock
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) April 23, 2023
I was really nervous headed into this series with them, but even I probably underestimated how good this team is and can be. I still think the grizzlies will be by far our biggest defensive toughest matchup in the Western Conference playoffs. If we beat them, it’s impressive.
— 🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) April 23, 2023
I’m really proud of my team for the effort they gave. I’m hoping that the hunger remains because there is still so much work to be done. This is not over, we have to take one game at a time. I love my @Lakers .. Win or Lose 💜💛♾️🤷🏽♀️
— Bianca / Blaxicana_B (@HerSNKRvault) April 23, 2023
