Morant to fore as Grizzlies crush Lakers, Bucks rally to down Nets

LOS ANGELES: Ja Morant produced a second-half scoring spree as the Memphis Grizzlies exploited the absence of LeBron James to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 121-109 on Tuesday.

After being restricted to six points as the Lakers took a 49-46 lead into the break, Grizzlies star Morant erupted with 28 points in the third quarter to tip the contest decisively in Memphis’ favor.

The Memphis win snapped the Lakers’ three-game winning streak and put another dent in the team’s recent resurgence following the injury to James on Sunday.

James, who is reportedly facing multiple weeks on the sidelines after injuring his right foot in a Lakers victory over Dallas, was seen wearing a protective boot on the sidelines on Tuesday as his depleted teammates slipped to defeat.

The Lakers were also without the injured D’Angelo Russell, and the absence of the team’s two most assured ball-handlers was keenly felt, with the Lakers coughing up 26 turnovers for 41 points.

Morant received scoring support from Xavier Tillman with 18 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane added 16 points apiece for the home side.

Morant said he had been determined to produce a big second half after a wayward first-half shooting performance.

“I was locked in,” Morant said. “The shots I missed early in that first half were the shots that I made in that third quarter.

“I told my team-mates at half-time I wasn’t going to miss too many more of those. I got it going, and the rest is history.”

Anthony Davis led the Lakers scoring with 28 points while Lonnie Walker IV added 21 off the bench.

“We’ve got some guys out of the lineup obviously but we have capable players, and we have to be conscious of making the simple play,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said.

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