Los Angeles Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies Prediction, Betting Odds, Picks

• The Los Angeles Lakers continue to tumble down the Western Conference table, sitting ninth in the Western Conference.
• Memphis has taken off, launching themselves to fourth in the Western Conference with two straight wins.
• Having met twice already this season, the series between the Grizzlies and Lakers is level.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies Odds

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Los Angeles Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies Predictions and Picks

The Lakers have been struggling while the Memphis Grizzlies have been on a tear as of late. The Lakers have felt their lack of depth with James and Davis out, which will work in favor of the red-hot Grizzlies who just took down the league’s best.

Pick:

Memphis Grizzlies def. Los Angeles Lakers

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Injury Report

How Can the Lakers Beat the Grizzlies?

The Lakers lost their most recent game to the Memphis Grizzlies due to their inability to handle Memphis’ defensive pressure. To beat them this time out, the Lakers will need to tighten up their ball control on top of finding decent opportunities on offence.

In their game against the Brooklyn Nets, the Lakers shot just 41.7% from the field and 28.6% from three. While the Lakers had just nine players available, they’ll need to make do with who they have.

Memphis are aggressive defensively, which means that the Lakers can exploit their energy with good ball movement. If the Lakers can’t find easy avenues for their offence, it’ll be another one in the loss column.

Lakers Key Player: (G) Russell Westbrook

Watch LeBron here — he points trying to get Malik Monk to pass the ball to Russell Westbrook, and when Monk does it, Russ then has the angle for a bullet assist and layup ? pic.twitter.com/5QCVBuwAjV

— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) December 26, 2021

If there’s a comparison for the Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant, it would be nine-time All-Star and 2017 Most Valuable Player. While he has not blended in well with the Los Angeles Lakers to this point in the season, a strong performance by him can swing any game in his teams favor.

Despite the nationally televised matchup, Westbrook struggled in Los Angeles’ Christmas Day game against the Nets. Typical of Westbrook, he still had a 13-point, 12 rebound, and 11 assist triple-double despite shooting just 4 of 20 on the night.

With Los Angeles’ other stars unavailable or in doubt, it is up to Westbrook to lead the team. He likely won’t set the court ablaze with his shooting, but he’ll be more than willing to challenge the Grizzlies in transition and on the break.

How Can the Grizzlies Beat the Lakers?

The Memphis Grizzlies can’t rest when they encounter the Los Angeles Lakers. In order to capitalize on the Lakers’ down streak, Memphis will want to maintain their pesky perimeter defence.

Over the Lakers’ recent five-game losing streak, they’ve committed an average of 15.6 turnovers per game while assisting on just 23.0 of their field goal attempts. With key ball handlers missing, Memphis look in prime position to continue their trend of aggressive perimeter defence.

Memphis are fourth in turnovers forced per game, and first in steals per game. To continue their winning ways, they must keep the pressure on the Lakers early.

Grizzlies Key Player: (G) Ja Morant

? @JaMorant capped off a 33 point night with an unbelievable game winner for the @memgrizz! pic.twitter.com/0LKMqphvwS

— NBA (@NBA) December 28, 2021

The Memphis Grizzlies rely on Ja Morant to empower their success, but in their last game the Grizzlies star took victory by force. Against the Phoenix Suns, Ja Morant sealed the win with a last-second winner.

Morant posted 33 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists on 14 of 25 shooting from the field. Despite Phoenix’s collection of capable and disciplined defenders, none could stop Morant.

Against a weakened Lakers interior defence, Morant is expected to have his way with the Lakers. If the young point guard is aggressive from the tip, they can reward their home fans with a victory over the Lakers!

How to Watch Los Angeles Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies