Lakers set for 'dog fight' in possible closeout of Grizzlies

LeBron James dressed slowly at his locker late Monday night after an exhausting and exhilarating effort during the Lakers’ thrilling Game 4 overtime defeat of the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena.

Anthony Davis eased off the podium after his postgame interview that night and limped down the hallway, the pain in his right hip evident with each step, and yet he had a smile on his face because the Lakers opened a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven first-round playoff series and are one win from advancing.

Whether mental or physical, James and Davis will ask more out of their psyches and bodies because they are the ones the Lakers will lean on to carry them past the Grizzlies in this Game 5 closeout opportunity Wednesday night at the FedEx Forum.

How much more James can exact out of his 38-year-old body after playing a team-high 45 1/2 minutes probably will determine the Lakers’ chances.

“He’s feeling it, man,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said on a conference call Tuesday afternoon. “But at the end of the day, he’s in great shape. It’s more fatigue than anything that’s bothering him physically. And that’s a huge difference. He can re-energize. Obviously, he’s had his issue with his foot, but where he’s at right now, he’s probably the best, one of the best, for sure the best of his generation, in terms of taking care of his body, understanding what his body needs, what he has to do at this time of the year in between games to be available and available at a high level.”

James, who was listed on the Lakers’ injury report as probable with right foot soreness, had a career night for the Lakers with 22 points and 20 rebounds, the most he’s had, whether in the playoffs or the regular season. He authored the first 20/20 playoff game by a Laker since Shaquille O’Neal in the 2004 NBA Finals.