All Lakers Expert Predictions For Ja Morant-Less Grizzlies Rematch

Can LA steal another win against a better team?

The Memphis Grizzlies are coming to town tonight to face your Los Angeles Lakers (well, to be fair, they've been in town for a few days, having lost to the Clippers over the weekend), and due to some major absences on their roster, seem particularly vulnerable despite on paper being the better club.

Can LA capitalize? Or will it squander a golden opportunity? Let's dive in.

1. We know Anthony Davis will do big things. Who else will step up?

Alex: As usual, my answers since the trade deadline have generally tended towards volume three-point marksman Malik Beasley on offense and omnipresent Swiss army knife Jarred Vanderbilt on defense. Los Angeles needs them tonight.

Noah: You picked my two favorite candidates, so for the sake of mixing it up, I'll go with Troy Brown Jr. He's made a great impact on both ends of the floor as of late, and I think he'll need to remain hot from deep on Tuesday.

2. How many Lakers will score in double digits?

Noah: I'm going to go with Anthony Davis, Malik Beasley, Troy Brown Jr., Jarred Vanderbilt, Dennis Schröder, Austin Reaves and Lonnie Walker IV. So seven Lakers in double figures.

Alex: LA will need everyone firing on all cylinders to steal a somewhat improbable win tonight. If the team gets contributions from the group who chipped in last time (the starting five plus Austin Reaves) that should be enough.

3. Can LA finally take more three-pointers than an opponent in a game?

Alex: If Malik Beasley had his way, the answer would certainly be "Yes." All told, however, the Lakers' shot diet still errs a bit too much on the side of post takes. I think Memphis will hold the three-point shooting edge.

Noah: I hope the Lakers get shot happy tonight. I'd love to see both Malik Beasley and Troy Brown Jr. put up eight or more attempts from deep. But I'm going to say no, because the Grizzlies without Ja Morant will be shot happier.

4. Will LA win?

Noah: Give me the Lakers in this home game where the fans will be loud as Pau Gasol gets his jersey retired. The Lakers need this game significantly more than Memphis, so expect Anthony Davis to put the team on his back yet again.

Alex: Yes. There's a reason this game is a virtual push in Vegas. LA at home, playing against a collapsing Grizzlies team missing its volatile leader on offense and its defensive paint anchor, should be able to bring enough fire to take down the favored Grizzlies. LA and Memphis have split their season series to date 1-1, but it's hard to get an exact gauge on how each team will fare without its leaders. The Grizzlies won't have much of an answer for Davis, though Jaren Jackson and Xavier Tillman proved fairly competent the last time these clubs squared off on February 28th. Conversely, players like Beasley and Vanderbilt will need to step up defensively to contain the Grizzlies' wings.

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