The Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks found themselves in a dire situation. Both teams lost home court after Game 1. Both teams lost their best players to injury. Must win for both teams heading into their respective Game 2's
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Game 2
After Game 1, the Grizzlies had their back against the wall going into Game 2. Losing home court advantage and their best player Ja Morant to a hand injury. The Lakers were expected to come for blood in Game 2 with news that Ja Morant will miss Game 2 on the Memphis. Anthony Davis was a defensive monster in Game 1. Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves put on a shooting performance in the upset Game 1 win. However, only one of the three showed up in Game 2.
Rui Hachimura scored 20 points in Game 2, but Austin Reaves struggled with 12 points. Anthony Davis had five more blocks in Game 2, but that was all he carried over to Game 2. Only scoring 13 points and grabbing 8 rebounds in which the Lakers had no chance in Game 2.
The Memphis Grizzlies came out ready to play without their superstar guard. Six Grizzlies scored in double figures led by Xavier Tillman with 22 points. That's right, the 3rd center on the depth chart led the team. Tillman went 10-13 from the field with 13 rebounds and outplaying Anthony Davis from start to finish. Jaren Jackson Jr. had 18 points and 9 rebounds in Game 2. Much different from Game 1 where Jackson Jr. led the team with 31 points and 5 rebounds in the lost.
All five starters are a part of the six in double figures including Tyus Jones who was replacing Ja in the lineup, scoring 10 points with 6 rebounds and 8 assists.
Series now tied 1-1 heading into Game 3 Saturday night in Los Angeles.
Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks in the same position as the Memphis Grizzlies, losing Giannis Antetokounmpo in Game 1 and going without him in Game 2, the Bucks had to win Game 2. Well, that wasn't hard for the Bucks to do Wednesday night. Jumping out to 7-point lead after the first quarter then a 26-point lead at halftime scoring 81 points in 24 minutes. At that point, the Bucks was rolling, and the Miami Heat had no answer.
Jimmy Butler tried to carry over his Game 1 performance over to Game 2, scoring 25 points to lead the Heat but it just didn't matter. The Bucks was all over the Heat Wednesday night, seven players scoring in double figures while three scored 20+ points.
Brook Lopez led the way with Jrue Holiday for the series tying split in Milwaukee. Lopez scored 25 points with Holiday scored 24 points and dishing out 11 assists. The third member of the 20+ crew was Pat Connaughton with 22 points off the bench with six 3-pointers. The Bucks shot 53.5% from the field and 51% from 3-point range as they beat the Heat by 16 points.
Series will resume Saturday night for Game 3 down in Miami.