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Lakers starting lineup and Grizzlies starting lineup for Game 4 in LA

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 22: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles in front of D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers during 111-101 Lakers win in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 22, 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 22: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles in front of D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers during 111-101 Lakers win in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 22, 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)

The Los Angeles Lakers host the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 4 on Monday night in what is going to be a tipping point for the series.

Los Angeles can take a 3-1 series lead over Memphis that is going to be very hard to come back from. It has been done several times in recent NBA history but it is much easier said than done. Or, the Grizzlies could even up the series at two games a piece, essentially making it a best two out of three with two of the games in Memphis.

Game 4 always seems to be the most important game of any playoff series and that is no different in this series. Here are the starting lineups that the two teams are likely rocking for this do-or-die showdown.

Projected Lakers starting lineup for Game 4:

  • D’Angelo Russell (17 starts for LA)
  • Austin Reaves (22 starts for LA)
  • Jarred Vanderbilt (24 starts for LA)
  • LeBron James (54 starts for LA)
  • Anthony Davis (54 starts for LA)

There are not injuries that will change matters for the Lake Show and thus, the starting lineup should remain completely the same.

Darvin Ham does have one interesting decision as it pertains to Jarred Vanderbilt and Rui Hachimura. As valuable as Vanderbilt is, he is a non-factor on the offensive end while Hachimura has been the most consistent offensive role player in this entire series.

It would be understandable if Ham instead wanted to give the starting nod to Hachimura, who has been getting more minutes than Vanderbilt anyway. That being said, Ham also likely does not want to change something that is working and Vanderbilt’s defensive intensity helps set the tone early.

Projected Grizzlies starting lineup:

  • Ja Morant (59 starts for Memphis)
  • Desmond Bane (58 starts for Memphis)
  • Dillon Brooks (73 starts for Memphis)
  • Jaren Jackson Jr. (63 starts for Memphis)
  • Xavier Tillman Sr. (29 starts for Memphis)

Memphis welcomed Ja Morant back to the starting lineup in Game 3 after he missed Game 2 with an injury. Funny enough, the Grizzlies got off to a terribly slow start with Morant in the lineup after having an extremely inspiring effort without him in Game 2.

Many Lakers fans are also likely wondering in Dillon Brooks is going to be in the starting lineup and the answer is yes. The NBA is not suspending Brooks a game for his flagrant 2 and ejection for hitting LeBron James below the belt.

It seems like the league only cares about a dirty play if Draymond Green is the one doing it. It is understandable for any Lakers fan to feel slighted about Brooks being allowed to play. But then again, LA did just fine against him in Game 3.

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