NBA Playoffs: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers (2-1) will look to take a dominant three games to one lead Monday night as they host the Memphis Grizzlies (1-2) for Game 4. This game will be played at Crypto.com Arena, with tipoff scheduled for 10:00 pm ET.
The Lakers are the favorites in this one playing at home. They are -190 to win, while the Grizzlies’ moneyline sits at +160. The spread features Memphis as 4.5-point underdogs (-110), and the over/under for total points is 220.5 (-110).
Grizzlies Have To Get Off To Better Start In Game 4
The Grizzlies lost Game 3 on Saturday 111-101 to the Lakers, but there was very little doubt of who would win after the first quarter. The Lakers took a commanding 35-9 lead after just one quarter and would never surrender the lead.
In the loss, Ja Morant had a huge night. He almost had a triple-double as he had 45 points, 13 assists, and nine rebounds, but it still wasn’t enough for Memphis to pick up the win.
Desmond Bane (18 points, 5 rebounds) and Jaren Jackson Jr (13 points, 5 rebounds) also had decent nights.
One player who didn’t was Dillon Brooks, who had just seven points and two rebounds. Unfortunately for Brooks, he certainly did not get the better end of his feud with LeBron James Saturday.
Throughout the season, the Grizzlies have struggled on the road, going just 16-25 at home. They need to find a way to overcome this Monday to go back home, where they are 35-6 this season, all tied up.
On the season, the Grizzlies rank ninth in the NBA in scoring, averaging 116.8 points per game. Memphis ranks 12th in scoring defense, allowing opponents an average of 112.9 points per game (116.6 on the road).
Lakers Have Had Memphis’ Number Thus Far
Despite losing Game 2 to the Grizzlies, the Lakers have looked like the better team for much of this series thus far. They will look to keep this dominance going against No. 2 Memphis at home, where they are 23-18 this season.
In the Game 3 win, Anthony Davis had a team-high 31 points and 17 rebounds. LeBron James also had a solid night going for 25 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
Other major contributors for the Lakers included D’Angelo Russell (17 points, 7 assists), Rui Hachimura (16 points, 5 rebounds), and Austin Reaves (13 points, 6 rebounds.
The Lakers have struggled a bit defensively this season. They rank 19th overall, allowing opponents an average of 116 points per game. In their last three contests, though, they have allowed just 105.3 points per night.
Los Angeles ranks eighth in scoring, averaging 116.8 points per game (110.7 over their last three contests).
Take Memphis And The Points
Looking at the trends, the Grizzlies are 2-4 both straight up and against the spread in their last six against the Lakers. They are 1-4 against the spread in their last five road games overall.
For the Lakers, they are 5-1 in their last six games overall and 7-1 in their last eight home games. They are 2-5 against the spread in their last seven games as the favorite.
It would not be shocking to see the Lakers win again at home, but expect the Grizzlies to keep it much closer Monday night. They were a little shell shocked after the first quarter in Game 3, but expect them to be much more prepared for Game 4.
For that reason, take the Grizzlies and the 4.5 points (-110).
