Expect a fast-paced game when the Memphis Grizzlies (31-13, 11-10 Away) head to face the Los Angeles Lakers (20-25, 11-11 Home) on Friday. Memphis narrowly defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-114 at FedExForum on Wednesday, their 11th consecutive win. Desmond Bane had a standout performance with 25 points.
The Grizzlies are 0.5 games behind the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference, currently sitting in second. Los Angeles came up short on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena, falling to the Sacramento Kings 116-111. LeBron James had 32 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds in the losing effort, carrying the team.
The Lakers are 13th in the Western Conference. It’s the first meeting of the season between the teams. Memphis won three out of four games between the teams last season, including a 127-119 triumph in their last meeting at Crypto.com Arena in January 2022, their third straight head-to-head victory.
Bane led the Grizzlies with 23 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. played a key role with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and six blocks. James had 35 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in the losing effort.
The Grizzlies have been led this season by Ja Morant, who is averaging 27.4 points per game, 10th-highest in the NBA. Morant also has dished 7.9 assists per game, sixth-most in the league.
Meanwhile, Steven Adams is grabbing 11.3 rebounds. James’ 29.8 points per game have powered the Lakers on offense. He ranks as the sixth-highest scorer in the NBA. James also has posted 8.4 rebounds per game. Russell Westbrook has tallied 7.7 assists per game.
There should be plenty of transition action in this matchup that features two of the league’s most fast-paced teams, as the Lakers and the Grizzlies rank third and fifth, respectively, in possessions per game.
The Lakers have had the advantage in the Grizzlies’ last 10 trips to Crypto.com Arena, winning seven. Memphis has won four straight away from FedExForum this season.
In the last 10 games, Memphis is 10-0 with an average margin of +12.5 (124.8-112.3). For the season, the Grizzlies are averaging 117.5 points per game, compared to 111.7 for opponents. Los Angeles has gone 6-4 over the last 10, scoring 121.6 points per game on average while allowing 119.5 (+2.1 margin).
GRIZZLIES HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Dillon Brooks: 14.8 | 22.4 | -7.6
Points per game:
Dillon Brooks: 9.8 | 16.3 | -6.5
Rebounds per game:
Jaren Jackson Jr.: 8.6 | 6.8 | +1.8
Ja Morant: 3.0 | 5.6 | -2.6
LAKERS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Wenyen Gabriel: 18.2 | 11.3 | +6.9
Patrick Beverley: 7.0 | 11.8 | -4.8
Points per game:
Russell Westbrook: 23.2 | 15.8 | +7.4
Dennis Schroder: 8.6 | 12.0 | -3.4
Assists per game:
LeBron James: 9.3 | 7.0 | +2.2
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
Memphis Grizzlies -6.5 (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
