All Lakers Roundtable Makes Predictions For LA-Grizzlies Playoff Series

The action tips off today at noon!

In just 30 minutes, your Los Angeles Lakers will kick off their return to the official Western Conference playoffs in what promises to be a fairly chippy first round matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies.

1. Which non-All-Star player, on either team, could swing this series?

Alex: A lot is riding on center Xavier Tillman Sr. to step up for the Grizzlies. Starting in the stead of the injured Steve Adams, the 6'8" big man will start off against 6'10" future LA Hall of Famer Anthony Davis, though one would imagine Grizz coach Taylor Jenkins, who has already announced that he plans to start Tillman next to All-Star Memphis power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, will most likely try to crossmatch Tillman on less-imposing Lakers power forward Jarred Vanderbilt, while making Jackson do the lion's sharing of the AD defending. Since Adams went down on January 2nd, Tillman has started 29 of a possible 41 games at the five-spot, and is averaging 8.6 points on 60.9% shooting, plus 6.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.5 blocks. He'll need to hold his own in the post against the Lakers' frontcourt.

Noah: I’m going with Austin Reaves. He’s been one of the better and most consistent players on the Lakers this season, and if he can have a great series as the third-best player on this team, the Lakers will have a chance at getting the upset.

Ricardo: The star players on both teams will show up, and they must if they want to advance beyond this round. You’re going to have some players from each side have an out-of-the-ordinary game (maybe), but there needs to be that one player who shows up night in and night out and plays to the level of an All-Star player; for the Grizzlies that’ll be Desmond Bane. Bane is an excellent three-point shooter. In his three-year career, he is a 42% three-point shooter, and timely threes by Bane could be the difference in this series. For the Lakers, you could take your pick; a handful of players for LA need to step up, but I’m going with Austin Reaves. Reaves is arguably the purple and gold’s third-best player; his timely buckets to quiet the crowd and his ability to get a bucket, in general, will be much needed this round.

Noel: I feel like Troy Brown Jr. can be a huge X-factor in this series. He possesses the skill and athletic ability to really make an impact on both ends of the floor and if his shots are falling, the court will open up tremendously for LA.

2. How should LA defensively plan to mitigate Ja Morant? 

Noah: Austin Reaves should be on him in the starting rotation. Let him hound him as much as possible. Then, keep AD in the paint to help out (hopefully without fouling), and have Jarred Vanderbilt in a sort of rover position running all around the court and clogging all his lanes. Also, keep subbing out guards so it’s consistently fresh legs watching Ja.

Ricardo: Say what you want about Ja Morant off the court, but there’s no denying his skills on the court. He’s the most explosive guard in the game today while being able to slither his way into the paint and finish however he wants. It won’t be easy for the Lake show; however, all hands need to be on deck to contain Morant. Guys like Jarred Vanderbilt, Austin Reaves, and Dennis Schröder will be the core guys (I believe) to guard Morant. The key to minimizing Morant’s explosiveness is to go under screens set for him, make him shoot the three, and make him beat you as a playmaker. If LA can make him dish the ball out and get the ball out of his hands, then it’ll be slightly easier for the Lakers.

Noel: He is Ja Morant at the end of the day so he's going to get his floaters and finishes at the rim. I think the two-man switching of Reaves and Vanderbilt will be key and at times you'll have to let him get his two's rather than crashing in and leaving shooters open.

Alex: I think it makes sense to stick reserve LA point guard Dennis Schröder on him as much as possible, though I'm sure we'll see some double team coverages when Morant gets inside, and Reaves and Vanderbilt could certainly get a look.

3. How many fights will Dillon Brooks get into with courtside personalities? Let’s put the over/under on 1.5. 

Ricardo: Dillon Brooks is a problem, not with his basketball skills, per se, but more with his tactics and how he sometimes gets under player's skin. He’s probably the most unlikeable player in the league, and after this series, LA fans will grow a hatred for Brooks if they haven’t already. To answer the question, I’ll bet the over. 1.5 looks too easy for the Canadian.

Noel: I'll be a bit generous and say Brooks only gets into two. I think his main focus will be trying get into LeBron's head no matter how many times he fails.

Alex: I'll take the under, but given that, you know, I came up with the question, I'm certainly of the belief that Memphis' deeply pesky starting small forward with start at least one unnecessary grievance with some courtside celebrity Lakers fan during this series, much as he did during his weird shouting match with Shannon Sharpe earlier this year. Brooks seems like one of those irritants opponents hate but would love if he were on their team. There is no Lakers equivalent to him in this era, but if we're making historic analogies, I'd say Kurt Rambis is a good comp. Along those lines, Brooks will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and as a solid 3-and-D wing should be in line for a raise from his current $11 million annual salary.

Noah: I’ll take the under, but there could definitely be one with Shannon Sharpe.

4. Who moves on and how many games will it take?

Noel: This is going to be physical, exciting series. I'm going to go with first instinct and predict LA wins at Memphis in game 7.

Alex: That Timberwolves overtime win was concerning. I liked LA's chances against Memphis before we saw all the team's vulnerabilities from the regular season rear their ugly heads in what should have been a cakewalk. The Lakers' weaknesses as a three-point shooting team and in containing fastbreak offenses were especially chilling. Los Angeles has the depth and top-line talent to win in what should be a uniquely competitive series, but the Grizzlies, even with their absences, are a better, more athletic club that can score all over the floor. I'll say Memphis closes this out in six.

Noah: I have Lakers in six. You didn’t ask for it, but here’s my full breakdown. Grizzlies take game one, Lakers steal game two, Lakers win game three, Grizzlies steal game four, Lakers steal game five, Lakers win it in six.

Ricardo: This series will be rugged, tough, grueling, and any other adjectives from the Ford website. Nonetheless, I believe a HEALTHY Lakers team led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis will lead their team past the gritty Memphis Grizzlies. It won’t be easy, and LA will come out with some scratches and bruises, but the Lakers will prevail in six games.

The fun kicks off in half an hour on ABC.

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