All Lakers Expert Predictions For Tonight's "Gimme" Grizzlies Game

Alex Kirschenbaum | Apr 12, 2024

Mar 27, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James shoots as Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson defends him. / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Tonight at the FedEx Forum, the visiting Los Angeles Lakers are hoping to ice a very, very banged-up Memphis Grizzlies squad that probably wishes the 2023-24 regular season was over already. It could represent an easy opportunity for Darvin Ham to sit one or both of his All-Stars, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. James is listed as being merely questionable to play through a left ankle peroneal tendinopathy, while Davis is considered probable to return from his left eye contusion.

Here are our expert predictions for the contest.

Can the Lakers cover the game's spread?

According to sportsbook aggregator The Action Network, the Lakers are -15.5 point favorites to win. That means Vegas oddsmakers don't think LA is a favorite. They think the Lakers are expected to obliterate the competition. To be fair, Memphis only has eight healthy players, and that sum has only happened because it added some pieces via the hardship exception deals. The Grizzlies are missing 13 players from their 15-man standard roster.

Will GG Jackson II step up against Los Angeles?

Along with fellow young combo forward Jake LaRavia, Jackson is the team's only other healthy player from Memphis' 15-man standard roster available this evening (eight Grizzlies will be able to suit up overall, thanks to some supplemental additions). He's listed as The Action Network's high-scoring favorite to finish as his team's high scorer, with his over/under set at 19.5 points.

The 6'9" South Carolina rookie is averaging 13.6 points on .421/.350/.757 shooting splits, four rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks a night. But since being inserted into the club's starting lineup permanently this regular season 14 games ago, he's been averaging 17.4 points on a .409/.349/.827 slash line, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.6 swipes. He's scored over 20 points 10 times this season, but he'll need to have his third 30+ point game if Memphis wants any shot at actually winning. I think he'll hit that over, but it's hard to see him going for 30.