2023 NBA Playoffs: Grizzlies vs. Lakers Series Odds, Picks & Predictions
The NBA playoffs are in full throttle, and this matchup has a couple of the best players playing. These teams are almost the opposite of one another. The Memphis Grizzlies built through the draft and are a young team led by one of the most explosive players in the NBA, Ja Morant. The Los Angeles Lakers are a veteran team that was built through trades and free agency. They have LeBron James, one of the greatest players of all time, and Anthony Davis, who is quietly having a great offensive season.
Memphis Grizzlies Overview/Playoff Outlook
The Memphis Grizzlies (51-31) have had a loud season. Ja Morant had off-court issues that led to an eight-game suspension. Teammate Dillion Brooks recently commented about wanting to knock LeBron James out of the playoffs. Outside of all the noise, the Grizzlies had a great regular season. They ranked 9th offensively and 11th defensively and were a top rebounding team in the NBA this season. Memphis has plenty of depth and that can benefit them later on in this playoff series.
Los Angeles Lakers Overview/Playoff Outlook
The Los Angeles Lakers (43-39) have limped into the playoffs this season. Starting the season, they dealt with the Russell Westbrook drama. Then LeBron James and Anthony Davis sat out games during the season with injuries. The Lakers two best players sitting out left them ranked the 20th defense in the NBA, but they still managed the 6th-best offense. That means the Lakers have room to grow with LeBron and AD healthy and playing an increased number of minutes during the playoffs.
Season Series
The Lakers and Grizzlies played three times during the regular season with the Lakers winning two of those games. They won the first time they played during the season (122-121) and the last time they played (112-103). Memphis won the middle game of the season series (121-109). LeBron James only played against the Grizzlies once this year and that was during the first game that these two teams played. Steven Adams was another key player who missed two of these games during the regular season series and he remains out for the foreseeable future.
Series Prediction
I am taking the Los Angeles Lakers to win this playoff series. Bettors will want to reduce the number of units they place on this bet because it is riskier. The Lakers are an entirely different team when LeBron James and Anthony Davis play and they are trending upward at the right time. LeBron averages 28.9 points per game, Anthony Davis averages 25.9 and these two elevate the play of the individuals around them too. The Grizzlies are a good team and have a chance to win this series, but the noise around them this season could start to impact them.
Anthony Davis will play a critical role in the success of the Lakers in this series. He can be the most dominant player when playing alongside LeBron. Davis can score, rebound, and defend which gives the Lakers betting value in this series against the Grizzlies, who have allowed Davis an average of 29 points per game against them this season. These are risker bets for bettors, but the Lakers are trending in the right direction at the right time meaning they have plenty of value for bettors to use to their advantage.
Best Bets
Los Angeles Lakers Win Series (+120 via DraftKings)
Series Exact Games: 7 Games (+175 via DraftKings)
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Cameron Lynch is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Cameron, check out his archive and follow him @captron26.