Two Western Conference contenders meet as the Memphis Grizzlies travel to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. Memphis (7-4), fresh off a dominant 134-89 victory over Portland, has won three straight and five of their last six games. Meanwhile, the Lakers (6-4) are riding a two-game winning streak, with a perfect 5-0 record at home. However, the Grizzlies will be without key players Desmond Bane (oblique) and Ja Morant (hip), while Marcus Smart (ankle) is uncertain. The Lakers’ Anthony Davis (foot) and D’Angelo Russell (illness) are both probable to play.
The game is scheduled to tip off at 10 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena. Historically, the Lakers hold a 66-41 advantage in the all-time series, but the Grizzlies recently defeated them 131-114 last week in Memphis. Los Angeles is favored by 7.5 points in the latest odds, with an over/under of 232.5 total points. Before placing any bets, consider the insights provided by the proven SportsLine model, which has had great success predicting NBA outcomes.
Lakers vs. Grizzlies Betting Lines:
- Spread: Lakers -2.5
- Over/Under: 232.5 points
- Money Line: Lakers -305, Grizzlies +243
Key Trends:
- Memphis: 20 wins in their last 42 road games (+20.60 units)
- Los Angeles: 44 Overs in their last 75 games (+11.00 units)
Why the Lakers Can Cover: LeBron James continues to lead the Lakers with outstanding performances. In his 10 games this season, he’s averaging 23.2 points, 8.9 assists, and 7.7 rebounds. James has posted back-to-back triple-doubles, including 19 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds in Sunday’s win over Toronto. He’s been instrumental in directing the offense, and his ability to fill multiple stat lines makes the Lakers a tough team to beat.
Shooting guard Austin Reaves has also been a key contributor, averaging 18.7 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.5 rebounds. He shot 48.5% from the field and 77.8% from the free-throw line, including a season-high 27 points in Sunday’s victory.
Why the Grizzlies Can Cover: Jaren Jackson Jr. has been stellar for Memphis, averaging 21.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and shooting 55.4% from the field. His scoring, especially from beyond the arc (40.9% from 3-point range), has been crucial. In Memphis’ recent win over Washington, Jackson posted 39 points and six rebounds.
Santi Aldama has also played a pivotal role, with three double-doubles this season. He contributed 11 points and 12 rebounds in the win over the Lakers last week and has been averaging 12.8 points and 7.6 rebounds. His steady presence gives Memphis added depth, making them a formidable opponent even without their stars.
SportsLine Model Picks: The SportsLine Projection Model has simulated the Grizzlies vs. Lakers matchup 10,000 times and is leaning toward the Under on the total, predicting a combined 225 points. The model also suggests one side of the spread hits significantly more than 50% of the time. You can check out the model’s full analysis and picks at SportsLine.
For expert picks and insights, visit SportsLine to see which side of the spread has the edge and to place your bets confidently.
