After Dillon Brooks was ejected for striking LeBron James in the groin, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 111-101 Saturday night to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.
After returning after a one-game absence with a painful right hand, Morant scored 45 points, including 22 straight in the fourth quarter as Memphis tried to overcome a 29-point deficit.
Morant had 13 assists and nine rebounds, yet the second-seeded Grizzlies couldn't recover from a franchise-low nine first-quarter points.
The seventh-seeded Lakers played well in their first home playoff game with a maximum crowd in 10 years, led by Rui Hachimura's 16 points off the bench.
Memphis couldn't get closer than 13 points until the last two minutes after Los Angeles had a 26-point lead into the second quarter, tying an NBA record.
Brooks was ejected after scoring seven points on 3-for-13 shooting with the sellout Lakers fans criticizing him.
After Game 2, the 27-year-old Brooks dubbed the 38-year-old James "old" and downplayed his skills, angering Lakers fans.
Despite the rough play, the Lakers controlled Game 3 until the Grizzlies made it moderately interesting late, never coming closer than nine points.
Memphis' top scorer started slowly with a black brace and padding on his hand, but he exploded in the fourth quarter.