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The Los Angeles Lakers responded to their 128-106 defeat on Tuesday at the hands of the Detroit Pistons by defeating the Memphis Grizzlies, 128-121, on Friday. It wasn't their best or most consistent effort, but they did get an excellent and consistent performance from LeBron James.
James, who turned 41 years of age on Tuesday, played like a man much younger against Memphis. He had 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting in the first half, and he never let up, as he finished with 31 points on 12-of-18 from the field, nine rebounds and six assists.
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For most of the second half, the Grizzlies threatened to put themselves in position to steal this game. But it seemed like every time they did that, James was there to keep them in the rear-view mirror just enough.
Lakers coach JJ Redick praised the future Hall of Famer afterward and called him "phenomenal," per Spectrum SportsNet.
"He was phenomenal," Redick said. "There was just a few stretches there where they made runs and the response from him, it's felt like every time we need a bucket, he just kind of willed, whether it was driving the basketball, getting into the paint, getting to two feet -- he was phenomenal tonight."
James was just 1-of-5 from 3-point range on Friday, but all but one of his made baskets came in the painted area. This happened despite the fact that Memphis ranks a not-too-shabby 11th in opponents' points in the paint per game.
It was another reminder that despite what his birth certificate may say, James continues to seem ageless on the basketball court.
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This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: JJ Redick on LeBron James' performance versus Grizzlies: 'Phenomenal'
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