LeBron, Lakers on verge of ousting Grizzlies with Game 4 OT win

MANILA, Philippines – LeBron James led an overtime rally to give the Los Angeles Lakers a commanding series lead over the Memphis Grizzlies with a 117-111 victory in Game 4 of their Western Conference playoff match-up at the Crypto.com Arena Monday (Tuesday, Manila time).

The second-seeded Grizzlies are also staring down the barrel of an early playoff exit after the Lakers tool a 3-1 series lead. 

James finished with 22 points, 20 rebounds and seven assists and grabbed a game-tying driving layup with 0.8 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to force overtime.

James then marshalled the Lakers superbly in overtime, scoring four points to put the Lakers in sight of the conference semifinals.

Memphis looked well-placed to level the series after opening up a seven-point lead with just over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

But the Lakers' D'Angelo Russell reeled off three straight 3-pointers to turn the game around and give the hosts a 99-97 lead.

A frantic final few minutes saw Memphis take a 104-102 lead with just seconds left on the clock after a sensational behind-the-back pass from Ja Morant set up Desmond Bane for a running layup.

But James conjured his game-tying drive to force overtime and the Lakers tightened up defensively to close out the win.

"We had a next-play, refuse-to-quit mentality," Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. "I'm so proud of the way we fought. 

"We had moments in the game that weren't too pretty. But we just kept chipping away, didn't get discouraged and didn't fall apart."

Ham reserved special praise for the leadership of the 38-year-old James down the stretch.

"All of his travels, all of the phenomenal things he's accomplished, he still has that passion, that grit to be on top," Ham said. "And that's what you saw... that's who he's been his entire career."

Bane led the Memphis scoring with 36 points while Morant finished with 22.