The LA Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies meet Friday in NBA action at the FedExForum. Here’s a Grizzlies vs Lakers Prediction. This article will include a Grizzlies vs Lakers Pick.
LA Lakers Betting Preview
The LA Lakers beat the Timberwolves, lost to the Trail Blazers, and they play the Heat next. The Lakers have won 9 of their last 14 regular season games.
The LA Lakers are averaging 117.6 points on 52.5 percent shooting and allowing 117.2 points on 46.9 percent shooting. Luka Doncic is averaging 46 points and 11.5 rebounds, while Austin Reaves is averaging 34.2 points and 5.6 rebounds. Rui Hachimura is the third double-digit scorer, and Deandre Ayton is grabbing 9.4 rebounds. The LA Lakers are shooting 31.9 percent from beyond the arc and 77.9 percent from the free-throw line. The LA Lakers are allowing 39.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.2 rebounds per game.
Memphis Grizzlies Betting Preview
The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Suns, lost to the Warriors, and they play the Raptors next. The Grizzlies have won 7 of their last 11 regular season games.
The Memphis Grizzlies are averaging 120.4 points on 45.7 percent shooting and allowing 123 points on 48.3 percent shooting. Ja Morant is averaging 23.4 points and 3.8 rebounds, while Jaren Jackson Jr. is averaging 17.6 points and 1.2 assists. Cedric Coward is the third double-digit scorer, and Santi Aldama is grabbing 7.6 rebounds. The Memphis Grizzlies are shooting 33.3 percent from beyond the arc and 84.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Memphis Grizzlies are allowing 41.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.8 rebounds per game.
Why the Memphis Grizzlies will win
- The Grizzlies have won 14 of their last 15 games as home favorites following a road win.
- The Lakers have lost 12 of their last 15 road games against Grizzlies teams that held a winning record.
- The home team has covered the spread in nine of the Grizzlies’ last 10 games.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games as underdogs following a win.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Grizzlies have lost each of their last 12 games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Lakers have won each of their last eight games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last seven games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Grizzlies have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven home games following a win.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Lakers’ last seven games as underdogs have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Grizzlies’ last seven games as favorites following a road win have gone UNDER the total points line.
Memphis Grizzlies Player Facts
- Santi Aldama has recorded 3+ steals in two consecutive appearances – equal-longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Jaren Jackson Jr. is one of only two players in the league to have recorded 6+ blocks in a game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Grizzlies rank 1st in the league for H2 points per game this season (65.8).
- The Grizzlies rank 29th in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (41.1%).
- The Lakers rank 30th in the league for turnovers per game this season (18.6).
- The Lakers rank 30th in the league for field goal attempts per game this season (80.4).
Grizzlies vs Lakers Injury Report
The Grizzlies will be without Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., Brandon Clarke, and Zach Edey.
The Lakers will be without Adou Thiero, Gabe Vincent, Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and LeBron James. Marcus Smart is questionable with a quadriceps injury.
Grizzlies vs Lakers Prediction
It’s hard to get a feel for either of these teams with so many injuries. The Grizzlies probably have the edge with fewer injuries and home court, but the Lakers are playing probably the better basketball. Reaves has taken his game to another level with Luka and LeBron out, and they’ve quietly won 3 of their last 4 games. The Lakers have won 7 of the last 9 games against the Grizzlies. I’ll grab the free bucket with the Lakers, mainly due to my lack of trust in the Grizzlies, especially in the favorite role.