Grizzlies vs Lakers Preview: Series Heads to LA
Lakers Look to Hold Serve
Lakers Finally Bring Playoff Game Home
The LA Lakers will host an NBA Playoff game for the first time in 10-years when they play Game 3 of their first-round series with the Memphis Grizzlies. Let’s dive into our Grizzlies vs Lakers Preview and see how we expect these teams to match up in this one.
The Grizzlies are still unsure on the status of Ja Morant for Game 3, but will be buoyed by their efforts in his absence last time out as they managed to level the series before heading on the road for two games. The current markets suggest he’s more likely to miss this game than play, but at the time of writing he is listed as questionable and will be a gametime decision.
Meanwhile, the Lakers remain healthy and will hope they can continue to get high level production from their role players as they try to maintain home court advantage in this series. Anthony Davis is coming off a lacklustre showing in Game 2 but was quick to say afterwards that he can’t wait to get back on the floor in front of the LA crowd.
The markets have opened with the Lakers priced as 4.5-point favorites, with the total sitting at 220.5 points.
Grizzlies vs Lakers
Date & Time:
Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
Streaming: ESPN
LA Stars Need to Shine
The Lakers will feel they somewhat wasted another big night from their role players as they failed to take advantage of another strong showing from Rui Hachimura off the bench.
LA won the bench points in Game 2 but were outshone in the starting lineup, largely thanks to an uninspired performance from Anthony Davis. The star big man finished with 13 points and 8 rebounds on 4-for-14 shooting as he was outdueled on both ends of the floor by the undersized Xavier Tillman.
LeBron James had a solid showing going for 28 points and 12 rebounds, but he was 1-for-8 shooting from beyond the arc and those inefficiencies showed up in a big way in a game where every possession was of huge value.
We’re yet to have a game this series where both stars have shone bright for LA and with the teams role players finding contributions it’s time for their All-Star duo to take control of this series. Davis specifically is averaging just 17.5 points and 10 rebounds this series, which is not what you’d expect from such a dominant player that is matching up against a team that is without their two best Centers in Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke.
In his two NBA regular season meetings with the Grizzlies, Davis averaged 29.0 points and 20.5 rebounds while also getting to the line 22 times. If we get that level of aggression and dominance from AD in the paint this series might become too much for Memphis to have to overcome.
Grizzlies Need to Replicate Defense
Game 2 was a nice reminder to everyone that this Grizzlies defense can be suffocating in the halfcourt – now, they need to carry it on the road.
Memphis were a dominant force in the NBA standings this season on defense. They were 2nd in the league in adjusted Defensive Rating this season and were 1st in points per play allowed in the halfcourt (0.93). In Game 2, they held the Lakers to a 45.3% Effective Field Goal average and allowed just 0.98 points per possession.
The rim protection was elite and their ability to contest without fouling was a huge factor in how they kept LA to just 93 points.
Protecting the paint and forcing the Lakers to beat you from the outside is the absolute key to winning this series and if they can do that while also limiting the second chance opportunities like they did last game they have every reason to be optimistic about stealing this game and regaining control of the series.
The other factor once again revolves around NBA injuries. Morant could return this game and his presence will give them the offensive jolt they need after becoming stagnant in the late stages of that Game 2 win.
Looking at the Game 3 markets I’m not sure there’s enough of an adjustment on this total given the slow pace these teams are playing when they’re not allowed to run off live ball turnovers and long rebounds. If Morant is out again, we expect this number to drop so grabbing an Under 220.5 points seems a good investment right now.
That’s all for our Grizzlies vs Lakers Preview. Make sure you check out all our NBA Playoff previews and best bets.
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