The Lakers are through to the Western Conference Semifinals after eliminating the Grizzlies in six games in the first round.
Los Angeles crushed Memphis 125-85 in Game 6. The fourth quarter began with the Lakers having a 34-point advantage and the game was good as over.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham talked about the key to his team’s victory, saying that it was transition defense.
“I just think our attention to detail in terms of transition defense,” Ham said. “I can’t remember who it was that asked me before the game what is one thing that we need to lock in on was our transition defense.
“We met as a staff yesterday and that was the biggest thing that stood out. And also, even before that, just coming with the energy, the effort, the urgency. Every possession we played on our toes, non on our heels. We were great in transition, great on the ball in pick and roll.
“We wanted to make an adjustment to keep Desmond Bane out of it continue to push [Ja] Morant to his right hand and blitzing Bane. You some high level basketball IQ players over there, so the guys have to aware, they have to be early in their spots early, ready to rotate, ready to cover for one another. And we were able to do that.
“Our defense fuelled everything else. It’s a huge defensive night for us, especially in the first half. Coming out and having a really good third quarter also helped…
“DLo [D’Angelo Russell] was phenomenal. Bron [LeBron James], A[nthony Davis]. A basically dominated the game defensively with his blocked shots, rebounds.
“And then our pace. We played with great pace offensively. It was a great team win. We’re thankful. Starting 0-5, 2-10, everything we went through, all the ups and downs. I just knew if just stayed at it.
“My staff I can’t thank them enough. Just the energy they brought every day. And getting to this point, obviously Rob [Pelinka], the different moves we made at the deadline really trying to fortify the team and balance it out, I think it was huge.”
