The Los Angeles Lakers have a chance to jump the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz in the Western Conference standings with a win on Tuesday, which would put them in the field for the league’s play-in tournament.
Los Angeles is coming off an impressive win on Sunday against the Golden State Warriors, and it will host a short-handed Memphis Grizzlies team on Tuesday night.
The Grizzlies are without Ja Morant (suspension), Steven Adams (knee) and Brandon Clarke (Achilles) in this game. That’s a major break for the Lakers, who won’t have LeBron James once again on Tuesday due to a foot injury. Mo Bamba has also been ruled out for Los Angeles.
On a positive note in the injury department, the Lakers have listed guard D’Angelo Russell (ankle) as questionable for this game. Russell has not played since Feb. 23.
With Morant out, Anthony Davis and company have a great chance to solidify themselves in the play-in tournament mix tonight. Can they do it?
Grizzlies vs. Lakers odds, spread and total
Grizzlies vs. Lakers prediction and pick
There’s one disturbing trend for Memphis this season on the road, and the Lakers have a chance to add to it tonight.
As road underdogs this season, the Grizzlies are just 2-9 against the spread and 0-11 straight up.
NBA betting trend for Grizzlies vs. Lakers 🚨
— Peter Dewey (@peterdewey2) March 7, 2023
Memphis as a road underdog this season:
🏀 2-9 ATS
🏀 0-11 straight up
Lakers -1.5 at home tonight. (I bet them on ML at -130 last night).
Now, with Morant, Adams and Clarke out, I’m surprised the Grizzlies are getting just 1.5 points in this game, especially since they blew a fourth-quarter lead to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night.
The Lakers are just 7-7 against the spread as home favorites this season, but I love them in this matchup to at least win.
Unlike last season, Memphis has struggled without Morant, going 4-6 in the 10 games he’s missed. Last season, the Grizzlies were 20-5 in games without Morant, but they have regressed significantly this season.
Memphis also has a -2.6 net rating on the road this season. This is the Lakers or nothing for me.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.