The Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies face off tonight at the FedEx Forum for the first time this season.
The Los Angeles Lakers just can’t figure out the San Antonio Spurs. Los Angeles lost to San Antonio on Friday night for the third time this season, wrapping up their season series.
The loss dropped the Lakers to 15-10 on the season, putting them in sixth place in the Western Conference. They have an opportunity to move back up the standings tonight, as they will be facing off with the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies are one of the biggest surprises in the NBA this season. Memphis comes into the game 15-9, a half-game ahead of the Lakers in the Western Conference standings.
Like the Lakers, Memphis comes into tonight’s game after playing Friday night. Unlike the Lakers, who lost, the Grizzlies won their game, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 107-103 on the road. That makes three wins in their last four games for the Grizzlies after they had lost three in a row.
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Memphis is back to their grit and grind style of play, as they like to slow the pace and wear down their opponents. They will be a lot to handle in the frontcourt for the Lakers.
Marc Gasol and rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. are a handful for opponents. Gasol is bouncing back in a big way this season, averaging 17.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists1.4 blocks and 1.6 steals per game. The supremely athletic Jackson is averaging 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game.
They make for a dynamic duo in the frontcourt, but the person who truly makes things go is Mike Conley. After playing only 12 games last season, Conley is back on track. He is averaging a career-high 21.1 points per game to go along with 6.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.
Matching up with those three will be tough for the Lakers starting lineup. Kyle Kuzma will have have to work hard to keep Jackson off the glass. However, he can be exploited defensively, as Jackson struggles with fouling.
Of course, the Lakers have the great equalizer in LeBron James in their starting lineup. While they may face difficulties with some of the Grizzlies players, Memphis will find it difficult to slow down The King.
Game Info
Date: December 8th, 2018
Start time: 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Stadium: FedEx Forum
TV Info: SPECSN, FSSE-MEM
Radio: 710 AM ESPN / 1330 AM ESPN DEPORTES
Live Stream: Fubo TV
Betting Info
This should be a hotly contested game Saturday night. Both teams are playing well and looking to keep pace in the Western Conference. For people looking to bet on the game, the clear edge goes to Memphis. They are not only 8-3 overall at home, but 8-3 ATS at the FedEx Forum as well. Los Angeles is 5-5 on the road overall, but only 4-6 ATS.
Spread: Lakers +2.5
Moneyline: Lakers +120, Grizzlies -140
Total: 207 or 207.5 points
Projected Starting Lineups
Lakers
PG: Lonzo Ball
SG: Josh Hart
SF: LeBron James
PF: Kyle Kuzma
C: JaVale McGee
Grizzlies
PG: Mike Conley
SG: Garrett Temple
SF: Kyle Anderson
PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
C: Marc Gasol