LA Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies Odds: Grizz Hungry to Even Series
Ja Morant Remains Questionable
Lakers Look to Stamp Authority
The LA Lakers will try to take a 2-0 series lead on the road as they prepare to face a Memphis Grizzlies team missing their star player. Let’s take a look at the LA Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies Odds and see what to expect here in Game 2.
Ja Morant remains questionable on the NBA injury report but the market is implying that he is likely to miss the game, with the player himself stating that he was in a lot of pain after Game 1. Morant’s absence would be a huge blow for a Grizzlies team already missing two key rotation pieces from their lineup.
Meanwhile, the Lakers will be hoping that Anthony Davis shoulder injury in Game 1 was nothing more than a slight stinger that won’t flare up and cause the player in further discomfort in this series. Davis’s presence and rebounding inside are a huge reason why the Lakers won Game 1 and it remains the biggest on court mismatch in this series.
The Lakers are currently 1.0 point favorites for Game 2 with the total set at 227.0 points.
Lakers Ready to Pounce
The Lakers have already stolen homecourt advantage in this series, but now they’re a chance to take advantage of some favorable circumstances.
Injury luck is needed for any team to run deep in the NBA Playoffs and while no one is happy about the Grizzlies potentially being without Ja Morant the reality is that the Lakers now have a very rare opportunity.
The health of their superstar duo LeBron James and Anthony Davis has always been at the forefront of conversation and the opportunity to give them extra rest before the next round could be a pivotal point in them being able to reach a Conference Finals.
If LA can play from in front once again they can get Memphis to play away from their strengths, which in turn will provide the opportunity to again play downhill on offense and negate their suffocating half court defense.
The Lakers know they won’t get that level of 3-point production again from their shooters and if the shots aren’t falling they need to be willing to drive to the basket and put pressure on the Memphis interior defense. If they can make up those lost points from beyond the arc at the free throw line they can ensure they dictate the tempo of this game.
The Lakers led the NBA standings in Free Throw rate and Free Throw disparity. Getting to the line will also prevent Memphis from being able to play downhill in response and allow them to set up their defense to nullify the lanes to the basket.
Grizzlies Need to Clean Up Their Act
Memphis was always going to have a tough time controlling the boards, but there’s no reason for them to be losing the turnover battle as well.
Extra possessions are tough for any team to overcome in the playoffs. The Grizzlies finished Game 1-11 in rebounds and -4 in turnovers.
Memphis owns an elite half court defense and allowing the Lakers to run off live turnovers and paly in transition played a big part in the road team being able to find their offensive groove. LA had 26 fastbreak points to go with 22 points off turnovers – that disparity simply won’t cut it if Memphis are to get back in this series.
If Morant is out we should get a more controlled offensive game from them with Tyus Jones running the point and that could be enough to help them get a foothold back in this series.
This should also equate to a slower pace if LA is forced to play in the half court and that is a great catalyst for this total being bought down from its opening number.
The Under is the biggest market edge for me and I expect this series to continue slowing down as each game goes on. Look for LeBron to really slow things down if they can’t play in transition and both half court defenses are good enough to get enough stops in that sort of environment.
That’s all for our LA Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies Odds preview. Be sure to check back after Game 2 as we continue to preview this Western Conference first-round series.
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