Lakers vs Grizzlies Preview: Curing the Blues

The Lakers will travel to Memphis for Kobe’s final game at the home of the Grizzlies on Wednesday night

The Los Angeles Lakers will continue on the Kobe Bryant farewell tour as he makes his final stop in the FedEx Forum for a matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies. Kobe Bryant obviously has a ton of history with the Grizzlies as they are one of three teams that he’s dropped 60 or more points against over his career. However, the Lakers have more things on their minds than just Kobe’s final game off of Beale Street. 

More from Lake Show Life

• Darvin Ham adds to Max Christie hype train after Lakers preseason opener
• Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest Lakers vs Warriors update
• Can Darvin Ham put all of the Lakers puzzle pieces together?
• Lakers news: Darvin Ham knows his fifth starter, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino praise
• Michael Malone’s painfully ironic comment has Lakers fans heated

Kobe and the Lakers are coming off an abysmal performance on Monday night where they were absolutely dismantled on the road by the Milwaukee Bucks. Even with D’Angelo Russell receiving his second consecutive start, the Lakers struggled mightily on both ends of the floor—save for a flurry of offense for a few minutes in the second quarter by Jordan Clarkson.

There is plenty of warranted optimism regarding the Lakers young core of Russell, Clarkson, and Julius Randle, but that optimism has been stunted as the struggles of this team continue to mount. More than wins, more than making sure Kobe has a chance to shine in his last game in Memphis, the Lakers have to make sure that they are continuing to take steps forward their apparently bright future and not getting bogged down in the bluesy quagmire of this season.

The Grizzlies in their current state offer an interesting opportunity to do just that, as it were. On Tuesday, Memphis announced that Marc Gasol will be out for the remainder of the season, leaving them hugely vulnerable in the frontcourt and without one of their key cogs in the offense. Though that’s been the case for a bit now, it’s at least a promising notion for the Lakers, as is the fact that Tony Allen might be out of action on Wednesday night.

However, the key for the Lakers is going to be containing Mike Conley on the perimeter. It’s no secret that opposing guards have given LA fits this season, which is even more troubling considering the increased role that Conley will play in the Grizzlies’ offense with Gasol out of action. That being said, everything in FedEx Forum on Wednesday night creates an intriguing matchup that really could seemingly go either way in regards to the result.

If you’re a Lakers fan, though, all you’re really looking for is glimmers of hope—whether or not that means a victory is irrelevant.

Los Angeles Lakers at Memphis Grizzlies

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 24
Start Time: 5 p.m. PT
Location: Memphis, TN
Arena: FedExForum
TV Info: TWC Sportsnet
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Radio: Here

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Grizzlies -9
Moneyline: Grizzlies -500, Lakers +400
O/U: 209

Injury Report

Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant (shoulder, finger)—Probable, Larry Nance Jr. (knee)—Questionable

Memphis Grizzlies: Marc Gasol (foot)—Out, Jordan Adams (knee)—Out, Tony Allen (knee)—Questionable, Chris Andersen (illness)—Questionable

Next: Nike to Release Full Collection of Kobe Sneakers

Prediction

This matchup between the Lakers and Grizzlies is complicated for a number of reasons. While Memphis being without Marc Gasol makes the Grizzlies vulnerable, the Lakers too are vulnerable to big performances from the likes of Mike Conley in the backcourt. In the interest of optimism, though, I think the Lakers kick this skid they’re currently on and take down the Grizzlies on Wednesday night.

As always, make sure you keep up to date with all you Lakers news, analysis, and more with Lake Show Life.