It was our supporting cast that won us the game – LeBron James after win against Memphis Grizzlies

Los Angeles Lakers veteran LeBron James gave credit to the supporting cast after their 128-112 win against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first game of the first round of the playoffs on Sunday night. Rui Hachimura was the star of the show for the Lakers as he scored nine of his 29 points in the fourth, leveling Mychal Thompson’s Lakers franchise record for most points by a substitute in a playoff game.

Going into the final quarter of the game, the Lakers had a six-point lead against Grizzlies. But surprisingly in the first 11 minutes of the final frame, the team’s big boys – LeBron James and Anthony Davis – attempted only one shot each as Hachimura did the lion’s share of the scoring.

“It was our supporting cast that won us the game tonight,” said James, who had 21 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks.

“The way they guard me, they’re going to be in the paint so I got to be ready to shoot those kind of shots,” Hachimura said.

Meanwhile, Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane threw down the gauntlet for Hachimura and wants to see if he can continue the same in Game 2 of the series.

“That was our game plan going in — make him hit shots and he did,” Bane said. “Tip your cap. It’s probably the best game he’s had in his career. It’s a seven-game series. Let’s see if he can do it again Wednesday.”

Lakers head coach Darvin Ham confirmed that his team used the four-day gap after their win against Minnesota Timberwolves to recalibrate.

“The last week of the season or so, the play-in game, possessions got away from us,” Ham said. “We threw away possessions with no pass or one pass and then shot.”

The second game of the series between these two teams will be played on Wednesday night.