Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports When's the last time the Lakers didn't enjoy a must-win game? With the media hanging on their every action, it is difficult for coach Mike D'Antoni's group to miss what's at risk over these final months. It's not just like the Lakers actually need any reminding, though, not with Kobe Bryant on the list. Their Friday night battle with the Memphis Grizzlies was not a must-win because of the opponent. That same Grizzlies team had already passed the Lakers a pair of failures in their first two conferences. But Utah's win, coupled with the fact that a victory here might provide the energy L.A. Wants after a mentally excruciating year, made this contest one that the Lakers just required. For the 3rd amount of time in as many activities, the Lakers (40-36) emerged victorious. The game didn't lack for drama, as Mike Conley took a contested layup in the closing moments that will have knotted the score. But the maximum amount of drama it did not need to have as it did sometimes. Bryant missed two jumpers, Steve Blake missed a and Dwight Howard split a set of free throws all in the game's final minute. When it mattered most, though, the Lakers made the play they'd to create. Howard stop a Conley and forced him to take a look meant to miss before it actually left his arms. The Grizzlies (51-25) controlled the rate with this sport, holding the Lakers to only 86 items. But D'Antoni's group showed just a little grit and work of their own, decreasing Memphis to 84. With the gain, L.A. Kept its half-game lead on the Jazz. The Lakers need certainly to show this level of power over their remaining six games, as Utah contains the tiebreaker.
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