Reasons for optimism. With 1 game left Grizz look to '24-25

The Los Angeles Lakers came into Friday night's game in Memphis against the Grizzlies with something to play for. The Lakers, who have already wrapped up a play-in round matchup in the NBA Playoffs, were jockeying for position with Sacramento and Golden State for spots 8-10 in the NBA Western Conference.

On the other side of the ball the Memphis Grizzlies aren't playing for, well, anything. Actually the Grizzlies might be playing for "signs of life" from their soon to be loaded bench for next season. In this case the life-signs looked like Jake LaRavia, who scored 28 points on 3-of-6 from the 3-point arc. The other significant life-signs Friday night were Scottie Pippen Jr. who put up 28 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals against his former team, the Lakers, along with GG Jackson. Jackson had a Grizzlies team-high 31 points in 40 minutes.

The Lakers ended with a flurry with Memphis leading 118-117 when Lebron James immediately went straight to the rim to take the lead and get it done for Los Angeles after a close game the whole night. Final: LAL 123 MEM 120

Next game: Memphis hosts the Nuggets Sunday at 2:30 p.m. on 92.9 FM ESPN. Pregame starts at 2:00 p.m. live from FedExForum