Lakers hold on to defeat Memphis Grizzlies, 96-92

Lakers 96 - Memphis Grizzlies 92 (end of regulation)

Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol both scored 21 points as the Lakers held on to beat the Grizzlies in Memphis on Tuesday night, 96-92.

In their fourth road game in five nights, the Lakers gave up multiple leads to the Grizzlies until Bryant hit a long three-pointer with 2:39 on the clock, to give his team a six-point lead.

BOX SCORE: Lakers 96, Memphis 92

The Grizzlies never truly threatened in the final minutes.

Bryant twisted his left knee injury in the third quarter but was able to finish the game. He also collected five rebounds and four assists. The Lakers All-Star guard only had four turnovers, still too many but an improvement.

Gasol hit nine of 12 shots, also leading the Lakers with nine rebounds. Wesley Johnson dished a game-high six assists.

Zach Randolph led the shorthanded Grizzlies with 18 points, 16 rebounds and five assists. Memphis played without Mike Conley (thigh), Marc Gasol (knee) and Quincy Pondexter (foot).

Of course the Lakers have their own injury issues with point guards Steve Nash (back), Steve Blake (elbow) and Jordan Farmar (hamstring) all sidelined.

The Lakers shot 49.3% from the field. Nick Young contributed 18 off the bench. Jodie Meeks was also in double figures with 13.

The Grizzlies shot 40.7%, getting double-digit contributions from Tony Allen (16), Jerryd Bayless (13), Jon Leuer (13), Nick Calathes (10) and Randolph.

Mike Miller left after suffering an ankle sprain after scoring nine points with five assists.

Jordan Hill struggled with foul trouble, scoring just two points in 7 1/2 minutes.

The Lakers return home with two days off before hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves (12-13) on Friday.

The Grizzlies have a quick turnaround, visiting the Dallas Mavericks (14-10) on Wednesday.

Lakers 67 - Grizzlies 67 (end of third quarter)

The Grizzlies caught the Lakers at 67 after three quarters.

Kobe Bryant scored 18 points with four assists in 26 minutes. He seemed to hurt his left knee in a fall, but was able to stay in the game.

Pau Gasol contributed 14 points as the Lakers shot 47.5% from the field. Wesley Johnson led all players with six assists.

The Grizzlies were led by Zach Randolph’s 12 points. Tony Allen and Nick Calathes also scored 10 as Memphis shot 39.1% from the field.

Jordan Hill played just 7 1/2 minutes with foul trouble. The Grizzlies out-rebounded the Lakers 37-27.

The Lakers (12-13) return home with two days off before hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves (12-13) on Friday.

The Grizzlies (10-14) have a quick turnaround, visiting the Dallas Mavericks (14-10) on Wednesday.

Lakers 52 - Grizzlies 47 (halftime)

The Grizzlies made up some of the deficit but the Lakers held onto a five-point lead going into the half.

Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 14 points. Nick Young gave 11 off the bench as the team shot 52.5% from the field.

Reserve forward Ed Davis scored nine points for Memphis, part of the bench unit that gave the Lakers trouble. The Grizzlies also had three scorers with seven points (Tony Allen, Mike Miller and Nick Calathes), shooting 42.2% from the field.

Memphis starting point guard Jerryd Bayless didn’t have a single assist. Bryant had three for the Lakers with three turnovers.

Jordan Hill spent much of the first half on the bench with foul trouble, playing just under six minutes.

Lakers 34 - Grizzlies 24 (end of first quarter)

The Lakers took advantage of the short-handed Grizzlies in the first quarter, taking a 15-point lead before Memphis rallied with five to close the period.

The Grizzlies are normally a strong defensive team but they let the Lakers shoot 63.6% from the field, led by Nick Young off the bench with nine.

Pau Gasol hit all three of his shot attempts for eight points. Kobe Bryant had eight points, an assist and two turnovers.

While the Lakers are also without their three point guards, they’ve had a bit more experience than the Grizzlies in similar circumstances, playing without Mike Conley.

Tony Allen scored seven to lead Memphis, who shot 43.5% as a team.

Pregame

The Lakers (11-13) play their fourth road game in five nights, visiting the Memphis Grizzlies (10-13) on Tuesday night.

Memphis has been struggling with notable injuries to Mike Conley (thigh), Marc Gasol (knee) and Quincy Pondexter (foot).

The Lakers are searching for consistency since Kobe Bryant returned from his Achilles injury (and the team’s trio of point guards each went down).

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies.

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