Lakers vs Grizzlies Preview: Did We Learn Anything, Byron?

The Lakers travel to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies, but will Byron Scott have learned anything?

The Los Angeles Lakers lost on Christmas Day to the Los Angeles Clippers and will now look to pick up the pieces yet again on Sunday afternoon as they take on the Memphis Grizzlies on the road in FedExForum. Interestingly enough, the pieces that need to be picked up for this team to really move forward may have shown themselves in the loss to the Clips.

At the start of the fourth quarter on Christmas, the Lakers trailed 85-57. Then something interesting started happening as the Lakers reserves led by D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, and Brandon Bass started chipping away at the deficit. In fact, with only four minutes to go, they even cut the Clippers lead to just seven points.

Granted, the reserves were doing this against the Clippers’ depleted second unit, but they also continued doing it once the starters returned as well. In essence, the point fans have been trying to bang home into the dense, stubborn mind of head coach Byron Scott was proven yet again. 

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The key to this Lakers season isn’t playing Kobe Bryant to let him have his swan’s song—that’s a great story and he needs to see the floor, but it’s not what’s best for this team now or in the future. The best chance for success right now and for the future of the organization is to let Russell and Randle run the show and giving them the opportunities to do just that.

The question now, though, is whether or not the loss to the Clippers on Christmas Day got that through to Scott. Against a tough Grizzlies team, the same old, same old of isolation-heavy offense, sluggish defense, and very little ability to freelance isn’t going to be successful. In fact, that plays right into Memphis’ hands. Instead, the better move would be to give Russell the role he deserves, let him run the offense, and let the rookie create.

We’ll see soon enough if Scott got the message of what needs to happen for this Lakers team. However, if he doesn’t allow the young players their opportunities on Sunday, this point is only going to be proven yet again—even if Byron refuses to acknowledge it.

Los Angeles Lakers at Memphis Grizzlies

Date: Sunday, Dec. 27
Start Time: 3 p.m. PT
Location: Memphis, TN
Arena: FedExForum
TV Info: TWC Sportsnet
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Radio: Here

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Grizzlies -11.5
Moneyline: Grizzlies -700, Lakers +500
O/U: 197.5

Injury Report

Los Angeles Lakers: Ryan Kelly (neck)—Probable, Lou Williams (shoulder)—Probable

Memphis Grizzlies: Jordan Adams (knee)—Day-to-Day, Brandan Wright (knee)—Out

Prediction

While playing the young players and allowing them to freelance could actually propel the Lakers in this game, I have little faith in Byron Scott to allow them to do that. Ultimately, I see him foolishly sticking to his guns and the Lakers getting gritted and grinded to death in Memphis playing an archaic style against a team who’s more effective playing that way.

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