All Lakers Expert Predictions For Critical Game 2 In Memphis

Can a healthy-ish LA make magic in Memphis again?

Tonight, your Los Angeles Lakers look to further burnish their current stranglehold on the Memphis Grizzlies in their best-of-seven playoff series by stealing a second game at FedEx Forum, following a stellar 128-112 Sunday victory. 

Can they do it? Our experts, Alex Kirschenbaum and Noah Camras, weigh in.

1. Will Rui Hachimura and/or Austin Reaves have another 20+ point night in Game 2? 

Alex: They can, but I am dubious that they will. I think we'll see another 20+ point night out of Reaves at some point in this series (he's been averaging 18.3 points on .571/.486/.898 shooting splits), but given that Hachimura's prior Lakers high ahead of this game was merely 20 points in 33 games, I doubt he'll muster up another of those nights before the next round (if LA gets there).

Noah: Yes! I’m going to go with Austin Reaves. What he did in Game 1 was no fluke, and I expect him to have another big performance, especially on the scoring side of things. If the game is tight in the 4th quarter, look for him to take over again.

2. Will a new role player step up for Los Angeles? 

Noah: This feels like a good day for Malik Beasley to find his shot. If he can just knock down a few 3-pointers, it’ll go a long way to LA going back home up 2-0.

Alex: I love the Beasley call. Just to be different, I'll root for a big Russell night. He played really well in the first game of this series, after a miserable play-in night (two points on 1-of-9 shooting). On Sunday, he scored 19 points on 7-of-17 shooting from the field (3-of-9 from deep), dishing out seven assists, grabbing four rebounds and swiping one steal.

3. How worried are you about Desmond Bane going off tonight? 

Alex: Assuming Ja Morant has to sit out due to that right hand bruise (he's currently questionable), I think Bane will be featured much more in the Grizzlies' offense. Memphis' starting shooting guard scored 22 points on a mere 6-of-18 shooting from the floor (3-of-10 from the field) and 7-of-7 shooting from the charity stripe, and chipped in six assists and five rebounds. What if he gets closer to 20-22 field goal looks with his team featuring him more, and his conversion rate gets closer to his season average of 47.9%? He does make a good amount of his free throw looks, but he doesn't normally get to the line much. This year, he made 88.3% of his 3.5 free throw attempts a night. Can he get closer to the seven tries he reached last time again tonight? I think so.

Noah: Desmond Bane is a stud, and could easily go for 30. However, I think if Ja isn’t able to go, the Lakers defense will be somewhat tailored around slowing him down. I think Dillon Brooks is the guy who’s going to be the beneficiary of no Morant more, putting up a bunch of shots.

4. Can LA actually win tonight and go up 2-0 in the series on the road?

Noah: They can definitely win. If Ja doesn’t play, I think the Lakers win a close one and head back to Los Angeles up 2-0. Wouldn’t that be something.

Alex: I agree, if Ja can't go tonight, LA will win. I'll say they would cover their spread (set at one point for now) and win by five.

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