The Los Angeles Lakers registered a comfortable victory against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of their first-round matchup despite being the underdogs.
Following the 128-112 win, the Lakers are soaring with confidence and will be aiming to take a 2-0 lead in the series. But NBA legend Magic Johnson issued a warning to the Purple and Gold about the Grizzlies’ physicality ahead of the Game 2 matchup.
If the @Lakers are to win Game 2, they cannot be complacent. They have to play harder, more aggressive, and take better care of the ball because we know the Grizzlies will play better and be more physical in Game 2. The Lakers must be ready!
If the @Lakers are to win Game 2 they cannot be complacent. They have to play harder, more aggressive, and take better care of the ball because we know the Grizzlies will play better and be more physical in Game 2. The Lakers must be ready!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 18, 2023
The Los Angeles Lakers run the risk of taking their foot off the pedal in the second game of the series. Keeping that in mind, Johnson’s warning is absolutely correct, and the team should take it with all seriousness.
The Grizzlies are a physical team, and with Ja Morant’s availability for Game 2 in doubt, they will use an even more physical playing style to fill that void.
Magic Johnson Believes The Lakers Can Win The West
On one hand, Magic may have issued a warning to his former team, but he still showed full confidence in the Lakers following their Game 1 win over the Grizzlies.
So much so that Johnson announced that if the Lakers can continue playing at that level, they are a legitimate contender to represent the Western Conference in the 2023 NBA Finals.
“If the Lakers continue to play like this, they can beat Memphis and anybody else in the West!”
Of course, the Lakers have the talent to do so. The Big 3 of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and D’Angelo Russell, combined with the talented supporting cast of Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Dennis Schroder, the Lakers have a deep roster.
The strength of the Purple and Gold was on full display in Game 1 of the series. Laker Nation will hope to see more of the same from their team throughout the remaining games.
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