NBA Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Lakers Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: 12-23-2018, 21:30 EDT

Spread: Los Angeles Lakers -5.5

Total: +208

In this all Western-showdown, two teams coming off opposite results in their latest matchups are clashing, when the Memphis Grizzlies, who have won only once in their last nine games, are visiting the Los Angeles Lakers, who have made it to the top-4 of the West and want to turn their latest victory into a streak.

Grizzlies are 16-16 so far in the league and are tied with Dallas on the tenth place of the Western Conference. They are 1-7 in their last 8 games and in their latest matchup they got defeated by Sacramento on the road, 99-102. Lakers are 19-13 so far in the league and are sitting on the fourth place of the Western Conference. In their latest matchup they ended a 2-game losing skid with a home victory against New Orleans, 112-104.

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Memphis are led in scoring by Mike Conley with 20.6 ppg. He also leads the team in assists made with 6.5 per game, while Marc Gasol follows with 16.1 ppg, adding 4.2 assists and leads the team in rebounding with 8.6 per game. Jaren Jackson Jr. adds 12.8 ppg and 4.7 rebounds. LA are led in scoring by LeBron James with 27.8 ppg. He also leads the team both in assists with 7.2 and in rebounds per game with 8, while Kyle Kuzma follows with 18.3 ppg, adding 5.7 rebounds per game. Brandon Ingram adds 15.3 ppg and 4.1 rebounds.

This will be the second matchup between those two squads this year, with LA having won the previous game on the road by 23 points. LA are 12-4 at home, while Memphis are 7-10 on the road. LA have a better offense with 113.2 ppg to Memphis’ 101.8, while Memphis have a better defense, allowing 102.2 to LA’s 111.4 ppg. LA have a better accuracy from the field, shooting with 47.7% to Memphis’ 45.5%, while Memphis have a better accuracy from behind the arc, shooting with 35.2% to LA’s 34.5%. LA grab more rebounds (46.2 to 39.6) and dish more assists per game (24.2 to 23.1), while Memphis commit fewer turnovers per game (13 to 15.2). Memphis have been struggling lately and they don’t pose a threat in LA, so pick the Lakers in this one.

Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers -5.5 (-109)

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