Lakers defeat Grizzlies in Game 3; Dillon Brooks gets ejected after hitting

LOS ANGELES — Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks “poked” LeBron James one time too many.

Brooks was ejected from Game 3 against the Lakers after hitting James in the groin with 11:43 left in the third quarter, and L.A. went on to win comfortably, 111-101.

The Lakers now lead this best-of-seven first-round series, 2-1, and Game 4 is in Los Angeles at 10 p.m. ET on Monday.

The enigmatic Brooks sparked controversy this week for calling James “old,” among other things, and shrugged it off by saying “I poke bears.”

James was solid in response, but not quite dominant. He didn’t need to be. The Lakers tied an NBA record for the largest advantage at the end of the first quarter in playoff history when they led the Grizzlies 35-9.

The Grizzlies’ nine points were the lowest total in any quarter for any team this season. The closest Memphis got after the game’s opening minutes was nine points, with 1:24 left in the fourth quarter.

Ja Morant, playing with the bruised right hand that kept him out of Game 2, was brilliant in his return with 45 points, nine rebounds, and 13 assists. But he limped off the court in the closing seconds with an apparent lower left leg injury.

Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 31 points and 17 boards, and James added 25 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.

Brooks did little to back up his trash talk from earlier in the week, and left the court in embarrassment. He was tossed from the game after officials reviewed the play and assessed a flagrant 2 foul — which is an automatic ejection.

Brooks appeared to deliberately hit James as he was dribbling the ball up the court. James crumpled to the court and remained down for a few minutes.

The score was 54-40 at the time of the incident. Brooks finished with seven points on 3-of-13 shooting. He was serenaded with boos and “Brooks you suck” chants from the Laker faithful.

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(Photo: Kirby Lee / USA Today)