NBA play-offs: Los Angeles Lakers upset Memphis Grizzlies in game one
- Published
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is targeting a fifth NBA title
The Los Angeles Lakers upset second seeds the Memphis Grizzlies with a 128-112 win in their Western Conference play-offs first-round opener.
Rui Hachimura scored 29 points off the bench for the visiting Lakers, who are seeded seventh.
Team-mate Austin Reaves hit 23 points, while Lakers stars Anthony Davis and LeBron James combined for 43 points.
Grizzlies guard Ja Morant left the game with just under six minutes left in the final quarter with a hand injury.
All-Star Morant appeared to fall heavily on his right hand after colliding with Davis in mid-air while attempting a dunk.
Despite Morant's absence, the hosts went on an 11-5 run to cut the deficit down to one point.
But the Lakers responded with a 15-0 run to finish the game and assume home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series.
Hachimura made 11 of his 14 shots, including five of six from three-point range, to spark the Lakers, who reached the play-offs after winning a play-in game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Game two of the series is also in Memphis on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, Giannis Antetokounmpo was forced off with injury in the second quarter as the Milwaukee Bucks fell to a 130-117 defeat by Miami Heat. Antetokounmpo will be assessed to see if he can play in game two of the series on Wednesday.
Miami's Jimmy Butler finished the game with 35 points, the 10th time he has scored 35 points or more in a play-off game for the Heat.
Kawhi Leonard notched 38 points, five rebounds and five assists to help the LA Clippers claim a 115-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
And Jamal Murray helped the Denver Nuggets stroll to a 109-80 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves with 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
The inside story of Britain's biggest gold heist: Policemen who investigated the Brink’s-Mat robbery speak for the first time in 40 years
Is bottled water better than tap water? Sliced Bread investigates the health claims and environmental impact
