The Lakers and Grizzlies will face off for the second time in three days, this time at STAPLES Center
It feels like just yesterday that the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies were squaring off with both teams looking down the home-stretch of the 2015-16 regular season, but it wasn’t. Rather, it was the day before yesterday that happened and now the Lakers and Grizzlies will do battle once again on Friday night, this time with the contest tipping off out west at STAPLES Center.
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There was little to no defense in the last outing between these two teams as LA and Memphis combined to put up 247 points on the scoreboard in the Grizzlies’ nine-point victory over the Lakers. While the young backcourt of Jordan Clarkson the recently-back-in-the-starting-lineup D’Angelo Russell were fantastic offensively as they combined for 50 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds on the night, the duo has been problematic defensively since Russell was again promoted into the starting rotation.
In the three games since the re-insertion of Russell into the starting lineup, the Lakers have conceded 120.7 points per game. Make no mistake, the Lakers defense has been an absolute disaster for the entire season, but it’s been ramped up to a degree for a number of reasons. Not only are Russell and Clarkson struggling young defenders, but they also push the pace when those two guards are sharing the backcourt together, thus allowing for their defensive flaws throughout the rotation to come to the forefront.
That being said, a team that’s 11-48 on the regular season really isn’t in the business of caring a great deal about that type of thing anymore. What the Lakers still need to see is the likes of Clarkson and Russell developing on their weaknesses and building even more of a rapport with one another and with Julius Randle. Moreover, you’d like to see rookie Larry Nance Jr. getting healthier as the days go by. And if Kobe Bryant happens to have a throwback game in the midst of all of this so be it.
As was the case on Wednesday against Memphis, Friday night’s Grizzlies-Lakers matchup isn’t about getting the W for LA. However, if they can show improvement off of their performance on Wednesday, the Lakers might stumble into a victory anyway.
Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Lakers
Date: Friday, Feb. 26
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. PT
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Arena: STAPLES Center
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Here
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Grizzlies -5.5
Moneyline: Grizzlies -235, Lakers +195
O/U: 211
Injury Report
Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant (shoulder, finger)—Probable, Larry Nance Jr. (knee)—Probable
Memphis Grizzlies: Jordan Adams (knee)—Out, Marc Gasol (foot)—Out, Tony Allen (knee)—Questionable
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Prediction
Though the Lakers offense is looking far better than it has almost all season with a confident Russell and Clarkson in the backcourt, the defense is atrocious right now and I don’t think that’s getting any better any time soon. The Grizzlies put up 128 points on Wednesday night and, while they may not touch that peak on Friday, they still should comfortably get by the Lakers.
As always, stay tuned with Lake Show Life for all the news, updates, analysis, highlights, and everything in between for the Lakers.