Ratings for Anthony Davis, LeBron James in Lakers win vs. Grizzlies

Finally, the Lakers were able to pair a strong defensive showing with just an above-average offensive game on Sunday. The result was one of their best wins of the season, knocking off the Grizzlies, who had won 10 of their last 11 games.

After head coach JJ Redick called the team’s best defensive game of the year on Friday, the Lakers returned home and completely shut down the Grizzlies’ offense. Memphis shot just 39.2% from the field and 32.1% from the 3-point line while turning the ball over 20 times.

The one negative of the night on that end was the 30 free throws Memphis shot thanks to 27 Lakers fouls, allowing the visitors to stay in the game. Still, the lead never reached within two possessions in the fourth quarter as the Lakers did enough to hold off Memphis for their best win at least since the beginning of the season and perhaps the season overall.

So let’s dive into the victory. As always, ratings are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance of that player.

Rui Hachimura

38 minutes, 8 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 2-5 FG, 0-1 3PT, 4-6 FT, +13

After gaining a reputation as a Grizzlies killer, Rui did it differently on Sunday. While it was a fairly mundane game offensively, it was perhaps his best game of the year defensively.

Matched up against a Grizzlies frontcourt that isn’t quite as fast, Rui excelled on that end. He was active – maybe a little too much with five fouls – and was an important part of the team’s success defensively.

Grade: B+

LeBron James

34 minutes, 18 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 7-17 FG, 3-6 3PT, 1-4 FT, +0

After eight days off and most of the last week away from the team, LeBron returned and looked very fresh at the start of the game. He flew out of the gates at both ends and really struck a chord.

After that he fell into the background and let AD do the work. Still he came with a big bucket late and also had three stocks in the night. A solid return to the field.

Grade: B+

Anthony Davis

33 minutes, 40 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 15-22 FG, 1-4 3PT, 9-12 FT, +14

Welcome back, MVP AD.

Something about playing Memphis and Jaren Jackson Jr. really turns AD on. He was dominant from the start, scoring 40 despite missing part of the second half with a shoulder impingement.

There also couldn’t have been a more fun way to reach 40 points than that last dunk late.

Grade: A+

Max Christie

29 minutes, 7 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1-3 FG, 1-2 3PT, 4-4 FT, +7

For the first time in eight games spanning two weeks, the Lakers had each of LeBron, AD, Rui and Austin Reaves available. When Knecht went down, the question of who the fifth starter would be was asked before the game.

Redick said he wanted a point-of-attack defender who could also complement the other four offensively, basically projecting Christie as the fifth starter.

At least for one night it looked good. Christie had an excellent defensive game, often matching Ja Morant and helping him to 6-21.

He is the right mix of the defense Reddish brought and the offense Knecht brought…when he plays well. Hopefully it will be for a longer time now.

Grade: A-

Austin Reaves

36 minutes, 19 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 6-15 FG, 2-8 3PT, 5-5 FT, +11

After struggling a bit to bounce back on Friday, Reaves looked back to his old self on Sunday. He did a bit of both scoring and playmaking in the offensive, as he typically does. His shots didn’t fall from range, but he made four of his seven inside the arc.

Defensively, however, he helped keep Desmond Bane quiet as he had just seven points on eight shots.

Grade: A-

D’Angelo Russell

17 minutes, 7 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2-7 FG, 2-6 3PT, 1-2 FT, -7

The break in the schedule couldn’t have come at a worse time for D’Lo. After looking good against the Blazers, Russell has struggled the last two games.

He finished 4-17 from the field, 3-13 from the arc and a combined -15 against Minnesota and Memphis. Hopefully another week off will reset(?) him to his pre-break form.

Grade: D

Gabe Vincent

14 minutes, 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1-3 FG, 1-3 3PT, -3

Out of the starting line-up, Vincent looked back to his old, frustrating self. His old mark was an off-balance 3-pointer he knocked in.

He brought it defensively, but yeah, it’s the same song and dance. He cannot produce at this level and remain in the rotation.

Grade: D-

Dalton Knecht

13 minutes, 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2-4 FG, 0-2 3PT, 1-2 FT, -2

Knecht is totally in a funk at this point and his minutes reflect that. Sunday was the fewest minutes he has played since the start of November.

I have confidence he will break out of it eventually, but until he does, his minutes will only go down.

Grade: D

Christian Koloko

12 minutes, 1 point, 1-2 FT, -11

The first half minutes from Koloko were good on Sunday. The second half minute when AD went out with an injury, it wasn’t. Memphis’ size really affected Koloko as Zach Edey had his way at the rim.

Grade: D

Cam Reddish

14 minutes, 8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 3-6 FG, 0-2 3PT, 2-2 FT, +8

On one hand, this was a strong defensive game from Reddish. He chipped in some points offensively as well as a cutter and even drew a foul on a pull-up jumper.

On the other hand, he had the craziest shot of his time in Los Angeles with a crossover step-back 3-pointer in the first half. If he had been benched at that moment, I wouldn’t have even argued for it.

Grade: C+

JJ Redick

The problems with the starting line-up sort of figured themselves out. Obviously, bringing in LeBron helps tremendously, but picking Christie felt like the smartest option.

Yet many trainers do not make the smart and easy choice. Some keep their hands in their pockets and bury Christie on the bench all season. Theoretically speaking.

Grade: B+

Sunday’s DNPs: Bronny James, Maxwell Lewis, Quincy Olivari

Sunday’s inactive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, Armel Traore, Christian Wood, Jaxson Hayes, Jarred Vanderbilt

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.