Barnes Has 25 As Grizzlies Defeat Lakers, 128-119
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Matt Barnes scored a season-high 25 points as the Grizzlies never trailed and beat the Los Angeles Lakers 128-119 Wednesday night in Kobe Bryant's final game in Memphis.
Six Grizzlies finished in double figures as Memphis finished with season highs in scoring and 3-pointers, going 13 of 27 from beyond the arc. Barnes was 5 of 9 on 3s and P.J. Hairston, who had 17 points, was 4 of 7.
Mike Conley scored 24 points and added eight assists as Memphis won its second straight and third in the last four.
Jordan Clarkson scored 21 of his 28 points in the second half to lead the Lakers, who lost their seventh straight. D'Angelo Russell and Lou Williams added 22 points each, and Bryant finished with 13 points, but was 5 of 14 from the field — including 2 for 7 on 3s.
Grizzlies fans gave Bryant a standing ovation and chanted "Ko-Be!" several times, the last when he left the game with a wave to the crowd with 1:03 remaining.
Memphis built an early lead and Los Angeles never really threatened in the second half. In the fourth quarter, the Lakers pulled within nine on a couple of occasions.
But by the time Bryant entered the game one last time with just under 5 minutes left, Memphis held its largest lead at 19. Bryant made a 3-pointer a short time later to pull the Lakers to 120-107.
After that, Memphis had enough of a buffer to close out the game.
The Grizzlies built an early 15-point lead, hitting seven of their first 10 shots, including three 3s. Bryant hit his first shot — a 3 — but missed his next three attempts.
The Lakers made a substantial dent in Memphis' lead with the help of their reserves, pulling to 61-58 in the second quarter.
But the Grizzlies used 18 points from Barnes and 12 from Conley for a 67-58 lead at the break.
Russell led the Lakers with 14 points in the opening half.
Clarkson carried the Lakers' offense in the third quarter. By the midway point he had scored 13 points in the period. That wasn't enough to keep Los Angeles in the game as Memphis, fueled by 3-point shooting and balanced scoring, rebuilt its lead to 17.
TIP-INS:
Lakers: Bryant has scored more points against the Grizzlies than any other opponent in franchise history. He also scored 60 points against Memphis on March 22, 2007, a record for an NBA player at FedExForum. ... Rookie F Larry Nance Jr., who injured his right knee in the Lakers' last game Monday at Milwaukee, played just under 15 minutes and finished with three points.
Grizzlies: G/F Tony Allen missed his second straight game with a sore left knee. ... With a rebound in the second quarter, Randolph passed Johnny Green (9,083) for 48th in career rebounds. ... Vince Carter (nine points) passed Charles Barkley (23,757) for 24th in career points scored. ... Memphis' previous high for points in a game this season was 120 against Oklahoma City on Nov. 16.
UP NEXT
Lakers: Host Memphis on Friday.
Grizzlies: At the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.
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