Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, Preview and Odds - 04/28/2023

Game Time: 10:30 pm ET, Friday, April 28, 2023

Venue:  Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Grizzlies +4.5, Lakers -4.5; Over/Under:  220 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Grizzlies +4.5, Lakers -4.5; Over/Under:  219.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Grizzlies +4.5, Lakers -4.5; Over/Under:  219.5 points

Memphis Grizzlies:  51-31 (1st place, Southwest Division)

Los Angeles Lakers:  43-39 (5th place, Pacific Division)

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Memphis Grizzlies:  4-6 last 10

Los Angeles Lakers:  7-3 last 10

The Grizzlies finished the regular season with a 51-31 record overall and they were 16-25 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off of a win against the LA Lakers in their last game. Desmond Bane led the team in points in that game with 33 while Ja Morant was next on the team with 31 points. Ja Morant led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, and Desmond Bane each led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 44.4% from the field, 35% from 3-point range, and 82.4% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 116.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 113 PPG against them. The Grizzlies have an ATS record of 39-46-2 this season and their O/U record is 39-46-2.

The Lakers finished the regular season with a 43-39 record overall and they were 23-18 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off of a loss against the Memphis Grizzlies in their last game. Anthony Davis led the team in points in that game with 31 while Austin Reaves was next on the team with 17 points. D'Angelo Russell led the team in assists in that game with 10 while Anthony Davis led the team in rebounds with 19. They were 40.2% from the field, 25.6% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 117.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 116.6 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 43-44-1 this season and their O/U record is 46-42.

The current betting odds have the Lakers listed as a 4.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is game 6 of a 7-game series between the 2nd seeded Grizzlies and the 7th seeded Lakers for the 1st round of the playoffs in the NBA Western Conference. The Lakers are entering this game with a 3-2 series lead after losing on the road in game 5, but they have done their job in this series so far and have put themselves in a great position to close it out. They needed to win 1 road game in this series to advance and they did so in the first 2 home games for the Grizzlies. The Lakers then won both of their home games to go up 3-1 in the series and have now put all the pressure on the number 2 seeded Grizzlies to win 3 games in a row and pull off the comeback. The Grizzlies were able to steal 1 game back on their home court but they weren't able to do much in their 2 road games in this series and they were also a very poor road team all year during the regular season. The Grizzlies may be the number 2 seed in the West but the Lakers were really hot coming into the playoffs and they have one of the greatest players of all time in LeBron James leading the way for them as he has plenty of experience when it comes to closing out a playoff series. The best way to place a bet here is on the Lakers to cover the spread in this game.

Grizzlies Lakers Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Friday, April 28, 2023 (10:30 pm ET start time) is Lakers 124 Grizzlies 114.

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Memphis Grizzlies: 1-15 ATS as a road underdog of 6 points or less. 4-13 ATS when facing elimination in a playoff series. 26-18 OVER when the total is 210 to 219.5. 36-25 OVER as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points.

Los Angeles Lakers: 15-8 ATS against Southwest division opponents. 25-15 ATS after 1 or more consecutive unders. 27-17 OVER revenging a loss where the opponent scored 110 or more points. 17-10 OVER in a home game where the total is 210 to 219.5.

Memphis Grizzlies:  L. Kennard (SG) Ques Fri - Shoulder. LaRavia (SF) Out Indefinitely - Calf. S. Adams (C) out for season - Knee. B. Clarke (PF) out for season - Achilles.

Los Angeles Lakers:  None.

“Obviously it was a win or go home situation." - Taylor Jenkins after his team’s win against the Lakers in their game on Wednesday, game 5 of this series.

“He and I made eye contact. We had a nonverbal discussion. It was time. We’re going to need him big on Friday.” - Darvin Ham on LeBron James after his team’s loss against the Grizzlies in their game on Wednesday, game 5 of this series. 

PG Ja Morant

SG Desmond Bane

SF Dillon Brooks

PF Jaren Jackson Jr.

C Xavier Tillman

PG D'Angelo Russell

SG Austin Reaves

SF LeBron James

PF Jarred Vanderbilt

C Anthony Davis

PPG: J. Morant (26.2)

APG: J. Morant (8.1)

Reb/G: S. Adams (11.5)

PPG: L. James (28.9)

APG: L. James (6.8)

Reb/G: A. Davis (12.5)

Coaches:

Memphis Grizzlies: Taylor Jenkins (4th season)

Los Angeles Lakers: Darvin Ham (1st season)