Los Angeles Lakers: 3 keys to beating the Memphis Grizzlies
By Ethan Temkin
2.) Win the rebounding battle
The Grizzlies and Lakers are very close in terms of how well they rebound the ball, as the Grizzlies rank 18th in total rebounds, while the Lakers rank 16th. However, the Lakers have the better rebounding talent statistically speaking, with Davis, James, Howard, and McGee averaging 9.0, 7.9, 7.6, and 6.0 rebounds respectively.
The Grizzlies top rebounder is Jonas Valančiūnas, who averages 9.1 rebounds per game. However, the list kind of tapers off after that as Jae Crowder and Brandon Clarke tie for second in rebounding at 6.1 RPG.
In terms of offensive rebounding, Valančiūnas also leads the team in that department at 2.1 per game, but no one else on the teams averages two or more. The Lakers have three players (Davis, Howard, McGee) averaging at least two offensive rebounds per game
In addition, rebounding is a key part of getting in transition, an area that the Grizzlies don’t defend well at all, as the team ranks 27th in points scored against them in transition. The Lakers rank 5th in points scored in transition so winning the rebounding battle will pay dividends for the Lakers offensively.