Los Angeles Lakers: 3 keys to beating the Memphis Grizzlies
By Ethan Temkin
The Los Angeles Lakers will be visiting FedExForum to take on the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, November 23rd at 5 PM (PST). Let’s take a look at what the team needs to do to ensure a victory.
These Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies are almost mirroring opposites of each other. The Lakers are playoff-bound, led by two superstars in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and the Grizzlies are in the midst of a full-on rebuild following the end to the beloved ‘Grit ‘N Grind’ era.
These two teams have already met once before, with Davis absolutely dominating the Grizzlies, en route to a 40 point, 20 rebound game. What’s more, is that Davis also set the franchise record for free throws made with 26 in that game.
However, the Lakers will be looking a little different this time around as Avery Bradley is still sidelined with a hairline fracture in his right foot, and Kyle Kuzma’s status is questionable after getting poked in the eye by Darius Bazley on Tuesday night against the Thunder.
While it’s been reported that Kuzma avoided any serious damage, and Kuzma is expected to play Friday night against the Thunder, the team may still want to consider sitting him out Saturday, given the fact that he was literally crying blood at one point.
Another player the Lakers didn’t have last time against the Grizzlies was Rajon Rondo, who has returned to action following a calf injury, and has been averaging 7.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists, and providing some much-needed playmaking for the second unit.
On the Grizzlies side, Grayson Allen has been listed as day-to-day with a left ankle injury, but other than that we shouldn’t expect to see any other Grizzlies player sidelined.
In a game that is the second night of a back-to-back, here are the three keys to victory the Lakers need to have if they want a good start to this upcoming road trip.