Lakers 96 - 112 Grizzlies
Final
  for this game

Lakers-Grizzlies Preview

Dec 27, 2015 - 4:49 AM Though consistency continues to elude the Memphis Grizzlies, they've handled the Los Angeles Lakers with regularity in recent years.

As the Grizzlies return home seeking to avoid a third straight loss, the Lakers begin another leg of Kobe Bryant's farewell tour when the teams meet Sunday night.

Road defeats to Washington and Charlotte has Memphis (16-16) at .500 nearing the season's midway point, an unaccustomed position for a franchise coming off three straight 50-win campaigns. A lack of offense has been the biggest contributor to that mediocre record, as the Grizzlies' 95.9 points per game eclipses only two-win Philadelphia.

Memphis shot 30 percent during an 18-point fourth quarter in Saturday's 98-92 loss to the Hornets, a game it led by 12 four minutes into the second half. The Grizzlies finished 11 of 21 from the free throw line compared to Charlotte's 28 of 32 rate.

"We played hard enough to win but we made a few mistakes," guard Mike Conley said. "Missed some free throws and those things added up in the end."

Memphis is 11-1 when scoring 100 points or more, a reachable mark considering Los Angeles (5-25) is allowing a league-worst 107.2 per game. The Grizzlies have averaged 103.7 in winning six straight in the series, including all four matchups last season.

The Lakers are coming off a promising ending to another disappointing result, limiting the crosstown rival Clippers to nine fourth-quarter points in Friday's 94-84 loss. They cut a 28-point deficit down to seven with four minutes left with Bryant sitting the entire final period in his NBA-record 16th Christmas Day game.

''Tonight, my bones just couldn't get loose,'' said Bryant, who scored 12 points in 26 minutes. ''I was hurting all night, but I still felt like I played well and played a solid all-around game for the minutes that I was in there. So that was encouraging.''

The 37-year-old has been productive lately as he enters a three-game trip containing his final stops in Charlotte and Boston. Bryant is averaging 21.8 points on 45.5 percent shooting over his past six outings.

The Lakers' intended future stars also are showing signs of progress. Rookie D'Angelo Russell followed an 18-point effort in Wednesday's 120-85 loss to Oklahoma City with 16 against the Clippers, while second-year forward Julius Randle scored 11 fourth-quarter points to lead Friday's rally attempt.

"They both came out ready to play," coach Byron Scott told the Lakers' official website. "To me, that shows some growth and maturity."

Conley had 19 points in Saturday's loss and is averaging 19.6 while shooting 45.0 percent from 3-point range over Memphis' past five games. The point guard added three steals to key a defense that forced Charlotte into 20 turnovers.

The Grizzlies rank second overall with 16.9 takeaways per game and have recorded 15 or more in six straight.

Memphis is 9-6 at FedEx Forum and has won five of six there against the Lakers, whose last victory in the series came on the road on Dec. 17, 2013.






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