The FedEx Forum was chanting all night. The Memphis Grizzlies, their home team, gave them every reason to. With Ja Morant at the helm, they surgically broke down the visiting Lakers, who didn’t have the dominant Anthony Davis. And as it has become an intense rivalry in the West in recent years, the win was a lot sweeter for the young team.

There were only moments when the Lakers found relative success. However, they spent most of their time trying to cut into the Grizzlies’ first-quarter lead. Instead, the home team barraged through the shorthanded Lakers, winning 114-131. An instrumental part of the lead, unsurprisingly, was Ja Morant.

Morant was among the three 20-point scorers for the Grizzlies. Having missed most of last season, the atomic guard has strung together some electrifying performances and an array of gasping moves. With his theatrics back, he went straight at LeBron James in their clash. It began with an innocent ‘Too Small’ celebration to which the King appropriately responded.

The intensity went through the roof when Morant came back down and pushed LeBron James from the back after an acrobatic make. He was assessed a technical. But still, James didn’t hesitate in rightfully identifying his impact on the NBA. “The energy alone, the inspiration that he gives to the younger generation alone was huge for our league and it’s great to have him back out there for sure,” the Akron Hammer noted.

Morant, though, wasn’t as considerate as James. He still felt the heat of the game after the Grizzlies won. So after the win, he let them know what the “Grizz said,”. He posted a short clip of the teams’ trademark griddy dance while taunting the losing Lakers.

The Lakers failed to step up in the absence of Anthony Davis

With the keys of the franchise officially with Davis, the NBA’s leading scorer suffered some discomfort in their last loss to the Pistons. Redick didn’t want to risk aggravating an injury that has nagged AD all summer. “I think for all of us, we want to take a long-term view on all of our players’ health for an 82-game season,” the head coach said about the decision. 

Another major absence came through Rui Hachimua. An illness kept the imposing forward out for the clash. Running hot from three, shooting 57%, the Purple and Gold lacked their most productive shooting weapon and their “hub”. The need of the hour was for the other players to step in.

LeBron James got the memo. He took a heavier offensive load, hitting six threes in his efficient scoring night. However, apart from Austin Reaves’ 19 points and Reddish’s bench production, no other Laker got to even 15. Furthermore, their defense didn’t apply enough pressure on the Grizzlies.

Memphis attempted 14 fewer threes but still held an advantage in the points from the perimeter. That’s because the Lakers didn’t disturb their shooters enough. They only contested 10 of their attempts, while the tenacious Grizzlies answered with 23. Their bench also outperformed the Lakers, generating 19 more points.

For LeBron James and the Lakers, such lapses have to be avoided if they are to embark on a transformational season under JJ Redick. Do you think they can bounce back when they return home? Let us know your views in the comments below.