The Los Angeles Lakers wrap up a five-game homestand on Friday against Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. This is the third time that the Lakers and Grizzlies have squared off, albeit Morant was out for the first two matchups.
The Lakers are 2-0 against the Grizzlies this season and this time around they could be without Anthony Davis. Davis is still questionable for this game, but it is probably best that the Lakers act with extreme caution as it is an Achilles problem.
The Lakers are currently riding a six-game win streak that has not felt like a six-game win streak. The team had two great wins over Boston and Denver, but also had had some ugly wins against the Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder, twice.
The fact that the Lakers cannot put these bad teams away with ease has caused some to worry. Personally, I think there is nothing to worry about whatsoever.
As part of the Lake Show Life Podcast, I have been picking against the spread and the point total for most Laker games this season. The next episode is being released after this game, so we take to article form to give the picks.
According to the Bet MGM odds on the Action Network, the Lakers enter this contest as 6.5-points favorites with a point total set at 218.5. I have a 24-22 record on the season after going 0-2. I was red-hot, now I am ice-cold.
Betting picks for Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies:
- Los Angeles Lakers -6.5, under 218.5 (Final score: Los Angeles Lakers 108, Memphis Grizzlies 101)
This should be a low-scoring game and that seemingly swings the pendulum in favor of the Grizzlies covering the spread. Heck, the Lakers have gone to overtime three games in a row against worse teams, so I definitely get the intrigue of picking Memphis against the spread.
This line is too low, though. Even without Anthony Davis, the Grizzlies do not have Jaren Jackson and are not as deep as the Lakers. LeBron James is better than Ja Morant and the rest of the role players in LA are better than the role players in Memphis.
Both teams are solid defensively and without AD, neither are super dynamic offensively. I think this game is going to look a lot like the Atlanta Hawks game from earlier this win streak, where the Lakers won 107-99.
I have the Lakers covering the spread by one point. It will be a close one that everyone who bet the game will sweat out, but it will be in favor of the Lakers.