The Lakers are gearing up for the Grizzlies' 'hardest game of the series' as they attempt to wrap up the series.
While the Lakers gained control of the series against the Grizzlies on Monday, winning Game 4 to go up 3-1, they also understand that the series is far from over.
The Lakers will have three chances to win the series, beginning with a trip to Memphis and maybe adding another home game.
The close out game, as the old adage goes, is the most difficult to win since the opponent is in pure desperation mode to salvage their season, putting everything on the line.
This season, that will include a trip to Memphis, which was statistically the most difficult venue to win in for road opponents this regular season.
"It's a desperate team," Anthony Davis remarked after Game 4 of the NBA Finals. "They play with a lot of energy and effort,
and they make plays." That is a hostile atmosphere. They provide excellent support to their workforce.
We are confident that we can win there. We've finished. Closeout games are always the most difficult, especially when traveling.
"As a result, our mindset and attention to detail must be ultra-locked in." We can't have a poor start or play around with the game thinking we'll be back here for Game 6.
We did what we were supposed to do at home, stealing one in Memphis in Game 1, and now we have to come in with a defensive mindset and take it one possession at a time."