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Lakers-Grizzlies: Who has the advantage in each individual matchup?

By Jordyn Bontrager

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 11: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to the Lakers bench during a 108-102 overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in a play-in tournament game at Crypto.com Arena on April 11, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 11: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to the Lakers bench during a 108-102 overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in a play-in tournament game at Crypto.com Arena on April 11, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Dennis Schroder Lakers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Dennis Schroder Lakers /

Grizzlies bench < Lakers bench

Grizzlies bench:

  • Tyus Jones,
  • Luke Kennard
  • John Konchar
  • Ziare Williams
  • Santi Aldama

Lakers bench:

  • Dennis Schroder
  • Malik Beasley
  • Troy Brown Jr
  • Rui Hachimura
  • Mo Bamba

While each starting 5 will possess a great deal of responsibility, they cannot play all 240 minutes. Tyus Jones might be the NBA’s best backup point guard, but Dennis Schroder is not far behind him (the end of the Lakers’ play-In game vs the Wolves was a testament to that). Luke Kennard shoots a much higher 3-point percentage than Malik Beasley, but let Beasley get hot and you will get burnt.

From there, the Lakers boast a much more reliable frontline off the pine. Troy Brown Jr was not a star by any means this year, but he provided steady minutes on the wing all season long. Rui Hachimura may not have lived up to expectations upon coming over from the Wizards in January, but he is still someone that can be counted on to go get a bucket if needed. He has also displayed glimpses of untapped potential on defense, and Darvin Ham will need him to give the team strong minutes against Memphis.

Mo Bamba (apologies to Wenyen Gabriel who just should not be getting minutes over Mo as the backup 5) has not had a major role for the team since coming over from Orlando at the deadline. Regardless, he is still a capable rim protector that can open up driving lanes for LeBron with his ability to space the floor.

John Konchar, Ziare Williams and Santi Aldama are not household names, but that does not mean that the Lakers should just turn a blind eye to them. All three can shoot the ball, and any one of them could turn out to be an unsung hero in this series.

With all things considered, the Lakers are a bit deeper than the Grizzlies looking ahead to the series. Even if Adams were suiting up in the starting unit and Xavier Tillman were relegated to bench duties, the Lakers would still have the depth advantage.

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