Lakers-Grizzlies: How to Watch, Odds, Predictions, More

The Lakers are squaring off against the walking wounded Grizzlies on Wednesday night.

Jan 5, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) defends Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

On Wednesday night, the 7-4 Memphis Grizzlies head to Crypto.com Arena to square off against the 6-4 Los Angeles Lakers.

During the two clubs' prior encounter last week, the Grizzlies blew out Los Angeles, 131-114, at FedEx Forum. Three Grizzlies players scored 20 or more points. All-NBA Memphis superstar point guard Ja Morant departed the bout in the third quarter with a hip injury. He has been on the shelf ever since, and will be once again tonight. Memphis has won sans Morant across its past two contests, with robust offense (the team is averaging 131 points across those bouts).

"Regardless of what our lineups are, I want (Jackson) to still carry that mentality of being a primary attack guy for us, and that's on me to make sure that he's feeling involved," Memphis head coach Taylor Jenkins remarked of his "next man up" approach to all these mounting absences, per NBA.com/Field Level Media.

How to Watch

The action will tip off at 7 p.m. PT, and can be watched on ESPN nationally — as well as Spectrum SportsNet and its streaming affiliate, Spectrum SportsNet+, locally.

Odds

Los Angeles is a 6.5-point favorite to win at home, according to sportsbook aggregator Bryan Fonseca of The Action Network. Fonseca adds that that the Lakers are the only club that is perfect (5-0) against its pregame spread at home this year. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, are a scant 2-3 against the spread in road games.

Predictions

Look for Los Angeles to win against the depleted Grizzlies and to improve its early season start to a 6-0 home record against the spread. Let's call the official prediction 120-110 Lakers. L.A.'s newly-minted starting backcourt of point guard Austin Reaves and shooting guard Cam Reddish could thrive playing against the Grizzlies' backup guards. L.A. needs a win like this against a chippy West rival. Look for JJ Redick to get it done.

More

Potentially all three normal Grizzlies perimeter starters could be on the shelf tonight. Small forward Marcus Smart is a game-time decision, while Morant and Bane are already confirmed to be on the shelf. Reserve forward Brandon Clarke is perhaps the costliest absence for the Grizzlies, who will hope that rookie center Zach Edey and 2023 Defensive Player of the Year power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. will be enough to overpower All-Defensive Lakers center Anthony Davis and 20-time All-Star Los Angeles power forward LeBron James in the post.

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