Lakers run out of momentum in 99-93 loss to Grizzlies

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Kobe Bryant drives on Memphis Grizzlies guard Quincy Pondexter on Nov. 26, 2014. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen, left, puts up a shot in front of Lakers forward Ed Davis during the first half of Wednesday’s game at Staples Center. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers forward Jordan Hill, right, works in the post against Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol during the first half of a game on Nov. 26 at Staples Center. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant gestures to teammate Jeremy Lin after getting an assist from Lin on a basket during the second quarter of Wednesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers star Kobe Bryant reacts after being called for a foul during the first half of Wednesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images)

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Lakers guard Jeremy Lin, left, tries to dribble past Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley during the first half of Wednesday’s game. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images)

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Lakers forward Jordan Hill, left, tries to drive past Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol during the first half of Wednesday’s game. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images)

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Lakers guard Ronnie Price dunks during the first half of Wednesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Lakers star Kobe Bryant drives to the basket during the fourth quarter of a 99-93 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center on Wednesday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Memphis Grizzlies forward Vince Carter, center, tries to put up a shot between Lakers forward Jordan Hill, left, and power forward Ed Davis (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley, left, harasses Lakers guard Jeremy Lin during a game on Nov. 26 at Staples Center. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard Ronnie Price drives to the basket during the first half of Wednesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images)

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen, left, puts up a shot in front of Lakers forward Ed Davis during the first half of Wednesday’s game at Staples Center. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Lakers star Kobe Bryant, left, is fouled by Memphis Grizzlies guard Quincy Pondexter during the first half of Wednesday’s game at Staples Center. (Harry How / Getty Images)

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Lakers small forward Nick Young, left, puts up a shot in front of Memphis Grizzlies center Kosta Koufos during the first half of Wednesday’s game at Staples Center. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

By Eric Pincus

Nov. 26, 2014 10:07 PM PT

Memphis Grizzlies 99, Lakers 93 (final)

For the second time this season, the Lakers competed through a tight game against the Grizzlies -- falling at Staples Center by six points.

Earlier this month, the Lakers gave one of the NBA’s best teams a scare, only to lose by five points.

On Wednesday night, Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies’ charge, notching a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Mike Conley also scored 19 with seven assists.

The Lakers’ early lead was built up without much scoring from Kobe Bryant, led by a strong first half from Jeremy Lin.

After 13 in the first, Lin scored just one point in the second half, finishing with 14 points and five assists. Bryant scored 22 after just eight in the first two quarters, but the Lakers’ All-Star wasn’t able to hit crucial shots late in the game.

The Lakers hit 40.7% from the field as a team and 42.1% from three-point range (8-19). The Grizzlies converted 45.0% and 22.7% (5 of 22), respectively. Memphis had two more turnovers (14-12) and took one additional free-throw attempt (25-24).

Nick Young added 14 off the bench. Ronnie Price had a strong game with 11 points and five assists in just 17 minutes. Jordan Hill scored 11 but missed seven of 12 shots.

Ed Davis made an impact defensively with eight rebounds and three blocks. Carlos Boozer returned from missing a game with a strained shoulder, and scored four points in 21 minutes.

Memphis dominated the third, outscoring the Lakers, 34-23. Zach Randolph contributed 16 points for the Grizzlies.

The Lakers (3-12) play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-10) on Friday. The Grizzlies (13-2) visit the Portland Trail Blazers (12-3), also on Friday.

Grizzlies 80, Lakers 74 (end of the third quarter)

The Grizzlies, who come into Staples Center with the best record in the Western Conference, looked like the best team in the Western Conference in the third quarter when they outscored the Lakers, 34-23.

The Lakers’ lead, which had been as high as nine, was gone by the end of three periods -- instead, Memphis led by six.

Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 18 points. The Lakers shot 44.3% from the field and 63.6% from three-point range (7-11).

The Grizzlies’ charge was spurred on by Marc Gasol, who had 15 points. Zach Randolph scored 16, Mike Conley 15 and Courtney Lee 10. Memphis shot 47.6% from the field and just 28.6% from behind the arc (28.6%).

Lakers 51, Grizzlies 46 (halftime)

Kobe Bryant didn’t attempt a shot in the first half until there were only 3 1/2 minutes left in the second quarter, and yet the Lakers to that point held a three-point lead over the first-place Memphis Grizzlies.

Bryant got on the board 30 seconds later with a pair of free throws, followed shortly after by his first field goal, a layup with 2:39 on the clock. He finished the half with eight points on one-for-four shooting.

Jeremy Lin leads the Lakers with 13 points and four assists. Ronnie Price has five points and four assists off the bench. Reserve center Robert Sacre has six points.

The Grizzlies shot 40% from the field as a team, getting 11 points from Mike Conley. Zach Randolph contributed 10 points while Kosta Koufos has added six off the bench.

The Lakers shot 44.2% from the field, leading by as many as nine points.

Lakers 26, Grizzlies 21 (end of the first quarter)

Jeremy Lin scored eight points in nine minutes to help the Lakers open an early lead over the Grizzlies. Lin also dished three assists and hit two three-pointers.

Kobe Bryant didn’t attempt a shot in 10 minutes, yet the Lakers shot 50% from the field as a team. Jordan Hill added six points and Nick Young had five off the bench.

Mike Conley leads Memphis with seven points. Zach Randolph scored five for the Grizzlies, who shot only 31.8% from the field.

Carlos Boozer returned from missing a game with a shoulder strain but played just three minutes before picking up his second personal foul. Ed Davis subbed in, sparking a Lakers run with two blocked shots on one Memphis possession.

Pregame

The Lakers (3-11) draw one of the top teams in the NBA on Wednesday, hosting the Memphis Grizzlies (12-2).

After winning two in a row, the Lakers have dropped a pair.

Carlos Boozer (strained left shoulder) and Ed Davis (right ankle sprain) are expected to play. The Lakers will be without Xavier Henry (Achilles), Ryan Kelly (hamstring), Steve Nash (back) and Julius Randle (leg).

For an in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers at Memphis Grizzlies.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.