NBA Game Notes (April 22, 2023)

Here are the NBA game notes for games that were played on April 22, 2023.

Fast and Furious

The Los Angeles Lakers opened up a record-tying 35-9 lead in the first quarter on their way to a 111-101 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 3 of their Western Conference First Round series. The Lakers lead the series 2-1 with Game 4 in Los Angeles on Monday.

The Lakers’ 26-point lead at the end of the first quarter matched the largest lead after the opening period of a playoff game in NBA history:

• 26 — Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers (March 30, 1970)

• 26 — Bucks vs. Miami Heat (May 24, 2021)

• 26 — Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies (April 22, 2023)

• 25 — Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic (April 24, 1997)

The Grizzlies’ nine first-quarter points are the fewest scored by any team in an opening period this season, regular season or postseason. The last team to score nine or fewer points in the first quarter of a playoff game was the Boston Celtics with seven points on April 19, 2016. The Grizzlies shot just 3-25 from the field in the quarter, including 1-13 from 3-point range. They also committed six turnovers which led to 10 Laker points.