All Lakers Expert Predictions For Key Game 3 At The Crypt

How will LA fare for its first home game of the Grizzlies series?

So how exactly are your Los Angeles Lakers going to perform at Crypto.com Arena tonight against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies for the third game in their ongoing playoff series?

Let's break it down.

1. Which Lakers role players will improve their production at home amongst a friendly crowd?

Part of my answer ties in pretty directly to the next question, but beyond a hopefully confident bench group, I think starting point guard D'Angelo Russell is the obvious name that needs to improve his production tonight. He's had a miserable start to the Lakers' 2023 postseason thus far. Including the team's narrow play-in victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Russell has averaged 8.6 points on 27% shooting from the field. Look for that to change tonight.

2. Can a non-Rui Hachimura bench player score more than seven points tonight?

Thus far in the series, none of the Lakers' other three rotation bench players (volume three-point marksman Malik Beasley, wing Troy Brown Jr., and backup point guard Dennis Schroder) have notched more than seven points in this series' first two bouts, both on the road. Hachimura, surprisingly, scored over 20 points in both, after having a bit of an up-and-down offensive season with LA. My money would be on Schroder recovering and enjoying a big night at home.

3. Will Los Angeles cover tonight's spread?

LA is currently a five-point favorite to win at home. The team certainly has the talent to do it. I'm going to be a little optimistic and pick Los Angeles to cover.

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