NBA Handicapping Predictions – Grizzlies vs Lakers
These are two teams that seem to be headed in different directions right now.
NBA Basketball Matchup: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers
10:30 PM EST
NBA Gambling Odds from BetOnline
NBA Betting Favorite: Lakers -5.5
Over/Under: 191.5
The Grizzlies have suddenly hit the skids over the last week or so, while the Lakers picked up a big win in Dallas and are playing some of their best basketball of the season. Both teams are healthier than they have been at any point this season.
Let’s take a quick look at this Sunday night matchup.
Memphis got star Zach Randolph back a few games ago, but it seems the Grizzlies are struggling with chemistry issues now.
Randolph hasn’t played poorly since returning, but the team has lost some of its edge. Rudy Gay leads the team in scoring at 19 points per game. Marc Gasol is having a career season, and he averages 15.9 points per game.
Mike Conley is a very solid point guard for this franchise. O.J. Mayo is instant offense, while Tony Allen is the team’s top defender. Memphis has been on a tough road trip. Can they get their intensity up for a game against the Lakers? [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Los Angeles got a terrific effort from Andrew Bynum in their win over Portland on Friday. Bynum scored 28 points and grabbed nine boards in the win.
Pau Gasol has been getting better as the season goes on. Kobe Bryant is averaging 28.5 points per game this season. While most thought the Lakers did very little at the trade deadline, one of their trades has paid huge dividends already.
Ramon Sessions has been the spark that the Lakers need. Sessions has scored in double figures in every game since coming to Los Angeles, and he has become a bigger part of the game plan each time out.
If Sessions can keep getting into the lane and scoring, it will take some pressure off Bryant.
Los Angeles is 20-3 at home this year, and I don’t think the Grizzlies are playing well enough to hang around with the Lakers right now. Look for a comfortable Lakers win.
Prediction: Los Angeles 99 Memphis 90
