The Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers will play in a Western Conference matchup on Sunday evening. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Grizzlies-Lakers prediction and pick.
The Grizzlies and Lakers matchup Sunday as each team is heading in opposite directions early in this young 2021-22 NBA season. The Grizzlies are 2-0, while the Lakers are 0-2. Memphis will be on a back-to-back Sunday, as they beat the Clippers on Saturday night in Los Angeles. The Lakers last played Friday, when they were blown out on their home floor by the Phoenix Suns. It has been a rough start so far to the season for the Lakers, who look out of sorts as they try to figure out all of their new pieces, mostly Russell Westbrook. Westbrook has struggled tremendously in two games with the Lakers, averaging just 11.5 points on 35.7% shooting from the floor, and he has yet to make a three-pointer (0-for-7) this season.
Here's how the bookmakers have set the Grizzlies-Lakers odds for this Sunday matchup.
NBA Odds: Grizzlies-Lakers Odds
Memphis Grizzlies -4.5 (-112), +158 ML
Los Angeles Lakers +4.5 (-108), -188 ML
Over 224.5 points (-110)
Under 234.5 points (-110)
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Why The Grizzlies Can Cover The Spread
The Grizzlies are mostly a young team, so the back-to-back may not hinder them as much as it would an older group. Ja Morant has been his usual self through two games for Memphis this season, using his feel and burst to give defenses fits. Morant is averaging 32.5 points and seven assists through two games for the Grizzlies, and presents a difficult matchup for the Lakers veteran backcourt. Westbrook will not be a good option to guard Morant, so it may be Kent Bazemore or Avery Bradley who draws the initial matchup. The Lakers have struggled so much as an offense so far this season, that simply riding a hot Grizzlies team with a handful of points, even on a back-to-back, might not be the worst play until Los Angeles proves they have worked all the kinks out with their mostly new roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Why The Lakers Can Cover The Spread
The Lakers are struggling, but James is found to figure this out sooner than later. Westbrook has struggled to fit with other stars at times before, so this may just take time. The Lakers are too talented offensively with James and Davis to struggle like this for long, so if you want to ride with a hungry Lakers team, who desperately needs their first win of the season, it might not be the worst idea. A locked in LeBron James is a lot to deal with, and that might be what the Grizzlies are staring down tonight in their path to a win. The Lakers aren't playing good enough to be favored by much over anyone right now, but if you believe, this spread is definitely one they can cover if they can hit their stride offensively.
Final Grizzlies-Lakers Prediction & Pick
The Lakers offense has been really ugly, and the Grizzlies are looking good right now. Take Memphis and the points, as until Los Angeles at least shows at least some signs of improvement offensively, it may not be a good idea to lay points with them vs. a team that has been playing well and winning.
FINAL GRIZZLIES-LAKERS PREDICTION & PICK: Grizzlies +4.5 (-112)
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