Los Angeles Lakers vs
Memphis GrizzliesPredictions & Preview

Lakers Look for Third Straight Victory as They Face Grizzlies in Western Conference Showdown

On Saturday night, the Los Angeles Lakers (39-33-1 ATS) will face off against the Memphis Grizzlies (38-34-1 ATS) at FedExForum in Memphis, TN. This game marks the final matchup in the four-game regular-season series between the two teams, with the Lakers looking to secure their third consecutive victory over the Grizzlies. In their last meeting, the Lakers defeated the Grizzlies 116-110 as 2.5-point underdogs. Memphis is currently favored to win, opening at -1 and the line is now Memphis -2.5. Stay tuned for our prediction and analysis of this Western Conference showdown.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Lakers +115 | Grizzlies -135
• Spread: Lakers +2.5 (-110) | Grizzlies -2.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 237.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Memphis will win straight-up is 57%.

Los Angeles vs Memphis Stats

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have faced a recent downturn in performance, losing four of their last five games. Despite a victory against the Indiana Pacers, they suffered a defeat at the hands of the Chicago Bulls, with Josh Giddey's buzzer-beater sealing the win for the Bulls. The Lakers struggled with their shooting, particularly from three-point range, and blew an 18-point fourth-quarter lead. Key players like Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic, and LeBron James contributed solidly, but injuries have been a challenge for the team. Currently ranked 16th in power rankings, the Lakers have a mixed record this season, with strong offensive percentages but weaker defensive stats. They will need to address their inconsistency to improve their standing in the league.

Memphis Grizzlies Analysis

The Memphis Grizzlies made a surprising decision to fire head coach Taylor Jenkins with just nine games left in the regular season, despite him being the winningest coach in franchise history. Assistant coach Tuomas Iisalo has been named as the interim coach. The team has lost four of their last five games, with a recent defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder where they struggled offensively, shooting only 41.8% from the field and committing 19 turnovers. Despite their recent struggles, the Grizzlies have a strong offensive ranking, scoring an average of 122.39 points per game. Defensively, they rank 24th in the league, allowing an average of 116.75 points per game. Memphis also ranks highly in shooting percentages and rebounding statistics. Overall, the Grizzlies have a record of 44-29 and are ranked 14th in power rankings.

Lakers to Exploit Grizzlies' Defensive Weaknesses in Battle for Western Conference Seeding

The Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies are both currently vying for the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers hold a 2.5-game lead over the No. 7 seed and are trailing the No. 3 seed by just 1.5 games. The status of Ja Morant remains uncertain as he is considered day-to-day. The absence of Brandon Clarke due to a season-ending knee injury will significantly impact the Grizzlies' frontcourt. In their upcoming matchup, the Lakers are expected to capitalize on their advantage in the paint and exploit the Grizzlies' weaknesses defending the 3-point shot. Memphis has struggled defensively against the 3-pointer, allowing the fifth-most per game in the NBA. Additionally, the Grizzlies play at a fast pace, which is unlikely to change under the coaching of Tuomas Iisalo. Despite Memphis's strong offensive efficiency, their recent defensive struggles may work in favor of the Lakers in this matchup.

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