Los Angeles Lakers (45-39) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (51-32)
April 19, 2023 7:30 pm EDT
The Line: Memphis Grizzlies -1; Over/Under: 227
(Get latest betting odds)
The Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies meet Wednesday in Game 2 of the NBA West First Round Playoffs at the FedExForum. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
The Los Angeles Lakers are averaging 128 points on 53.3 percent shooting and allowing 112 points on 47.2 percent shooting. Rui Hachimura is averaging 29 points and 6 rebounds, while Austin Reaves is averaging 23 points and 3 rebounds. Anthony Davis is the third double-digit scorer and LeBron James is grabbing 11 rebounds. The Los Angeles Lakers are shooting 43.2 percent from beyond the arc and 87.5 percent from the free throw line. The Los Angeles Lakers are allowing 36.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45 rebounds per game.
The Memphis Grizzlies are averaging 112 points on 47.2 percent shooting and allowing 128 points on 53.3 percent shooting. Jaren Jackson Jr. is averaging 31 points and 4 assists, while Desmond Bane is averaging 22 points and 5 rebounds. Ja Morant is the third double-digit scorer and Dillon Brooks is grabbing 4 rebounds. The Memphis Grizzlies are shooting 36.1 percent from beyond the arc and 93.8 percent from the free throw line. The Memphis Grizzlies are allowing 43.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34 rebounds per game.
The Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Wednesday games and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 2 days rest. The Grizzlies are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The over is 10-1 in Lakers last 11 overall. The over is 4-0 in Grizzlies last 4 Wednesday games. The under is 9-1-1 in the last 11 meetings in Memphis and 14-4-1 in the last 19 meetings.
The Memphis Grizzlies are at their best at home and there’s a chance Morant plays, but considering he had a hand injury entering this series and left Sunday saying his pain level was a 10, I question how effective he’s going to be. The Los Angeles Lakers are the healthier side and have a two-headed monster in AD and LeBron, who are no tough out come playoff time. Also, the Lakers are getting high level production from their others, which raises their ceiling considerably. The Lakers as a slight underdog is intriguing, especially given the Grizzlies star player is banged up. Give me the Lakers.
