Why the Los Angeles Lakers should fear the Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies are not the same team the Los Angeles Lakers faced last month

Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant should strike fear into the hearts of the Los Angeles Lakers because he is a bonafide superstar. Morant did not play in their two previous meetings yet the Lakers, with Anthony Davis playing, only won by an average of eight points.

Judging by the past two results, Memphis should beat the Lakers tomorrow with Morant in and Anthony Davis out. The Lakers will get run out of Staples Center if they are as complacent as they were against Oklahoma City.

Memphis is as hungry as a Grizzly bear in a stream without any salmon right now. They need this game if they want to stay in playoff contention.

Why Memphis badly needs this game against the Los Angeles Lakers:

Memphis has lost four out of their last five games and is currently a half-game behind the Golden State Warriors for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. With likely playoff contenders Dallas and Houston quickly gaining ground, the thrill of the playoff chase will soon be gone if Memphis continues to struggle.

As for the Lakers, it costs to be the boss of the Western Conference because they are getting everybody’s best shot. Home court advantage is not as big of a deal this season because it is unclear if fans will be allowed into the Staples Center come playoff time.

Perhaps this is why the Lakers are playing down to their competition as of late. Oklahoma City’s Kenrich Williams, hardly a household name, scored 24 points on 11-14 shooting. If Williams can go off, imagine what Ja Morant can do.