The Lakers turned it up after Kobe Bryant went down in the first half with a right leg injury outscoring the Grizzlies 50-47 in the second half but still falling to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies, losing 102-82.

A revitalized Laker team, full of players seemingly happy to get shots, came out in the second half hitting their first 6 shots and making several runs to cut into the Grizzlies monstrous 55-32 first half lead.

This was a must win for the Grizzlies who kept their 3-game lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves, also winners today.  Minnesota is using a late season surge to try and catch Memphis for the 8th seed and a probable date with the Suns.