Read the full story on SportsLook - Rui Hachimura Ignites Lakers in Playoff Opener Against Grizzlies
Rui Hachimura scored a team-high 29 points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 128-112 road victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of their NBA Western Conference first-round playoff series on Sunday, April 16.
Hachimura came off the bench and knocked down 5 of 6 3-point shots and finished 11-for-14 from the floor to spark the seventh-seeded Lakers, who beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Play-In Tournament on April 11.
A Toyama native and former Gonzaga University standout, Hachimura made his biggest impact in the second half, when he scored 21 of his points. That included four 3-pointers in the third quarter.
The Lakers outscored the second-seeded Grizzlies 69-47 in the second half to build a comfortable lead en route to victory.
Hachimura, who was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Lakers in late January, credited his teammates for playing unselfish ball in the second half. And it was Hachimura's highest-scoring game since he joined the Lakers.
"The second half, we were in a good rhythm," said Hachimura, who played about 30 minutes. "We were sharing the ball and all the shots just came to me."
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is on Wednesday, April 19 in Memphis.
Continue reading the full story on SportsLook.
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and Twitter ＠ed_odeven.
