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Projected Lakers starting lineup vs Grizzlies in Game 5

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 24: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers after making a basket during overtime of a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena on April 24, 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 Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 24: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers after making a basket during overtime of a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena on April 24, 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 Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers have a chance to finish their first-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies early on Wednesday. After a huge overtime win on Monday night, the Lakers lead 3-1 in the series and are in total control.

Losing in Game 5 is not the worst thing in the world but there is no doubt that the Lakers want to finish this first round sooner rather than later. The Grizzlies are a talented basketball team and giving them any sort of inkling of hope is less than ideal. Plus, the Lakers could really benefit from the added rest that winning in Game 5 would create.

This is the biggest game of the entire season (so far) and it is imperative that LA does not take its foot off the gas. Here is the likely lineup that Darvin Ham will employ against Memphis in Game 5.

Projected Lakers starting lineup vs Grizzlies in Game 5:

  • 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)

Each player in this starting lineup has had a serious moment thus far in this series. D’Angelo Rusell has struggled but knocked down three straight threes in the fourth quarter of Monday’s game that kept the Lakers afloat.

Austin Reaves has shined with his most impressive performance coming in Game 1 when he put the entire game on ice with a red-hot fourth quarter. Jarred Vanderbilt has provided a great defensive presence all series and got the Lakers rolling in Game 4 with a huge first quarter scoring the basketball.

LeBron James took over at the end of Game 4 to secure the win, becoming the first Laker since Shaquille O’Neal to score 20 or more points with 20 or more rebounds in a game. Anthony Davis, while having two stinkers, was absolutely dominant in Game 3 and was the driving force of that victory.

Projected Grizzlies starting lineup vs Lakers:

  • 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)

This is the starting unit the Grizzlies have been running out and it is not likely going to change as no one on the bench is worthy of starting outside of Tyus Jones, who backs up Morant.

While the Lakers are up 3-1 in the series, we still have not seen the team execute the main key in defeating this lineup. If LA can get two of these players in early foul trouble, especially Jaren Jackson Jr, then the Grizzlies are going to have a really hard time keeping up with LA late in the game.

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