The Memphis Grizzlies built upon their remarkable 2021-22 NBA season by earning the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Normally, that would be something to be ecstatic about, but there had to be a little disappointment when they found out their opponent would be the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers trailed by as many as 15 points in the game before putting together an excellent defensive effort in the fourth quarter and overtime. The Minnesota Timberwolves scored 16 points in the final stanza and extra five minutes, as Los Angeles won 108-102.
Los Angeles won the regular season series 2-1 and this is projected to be the closest one of the first round. The Lakers are slight underdogs at +120 in the series, with the Grizzlies listed as favorites at -142. The series spread is 1.5 games, with Los Angeles being +1.5 at -215 and Memphis being -1.5 at +172.
What can we expect to see in this series? Here is all the information you need to watch the games along with some analysis and predictions for the series.
Game Schedule (*=If Necessary)
Game 1: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies on 4/16 at 3:00 PM ET, ABC
Game 2: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies on 4/19 at 7:30 PM ET, TNT
Game 3: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers on 4/22 at 10:00 PM ET, ESPN
Game 4: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers on 4/24 Time, Channel TBD
*Game 5: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies TBD
*Game 6: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers TBD
*Game 7: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies TBD
Keys To Series
1. Anthony Davis vs. Jaren Jackson
There are a lot of intriguing matchups to keep your eyes on in this series. Arguably the most important one will be between big men Anthony Davis and Jaren Jackson Jr. Davis has had a ton of success against the Grizzlies recently and if Memphis wants to slow him down, Jackson is their best shot.
Jackson is long and athletic enough to give Davis some fits and is coming into the postseason with major momentum. He scored at least 31 points in three out of his last four appearances and could go toe-to-toe with Davis on both ends of the court
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS COVERAGE: Los Angeles Lakers & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Davis had 30 points and 22 rebounds in the last matchup between the teams. He is talented enough to carry the Lakers and with so much attention likely on LeBron James, he will have to carry the load for stretches of time.
2. How Referee Call The Game
While the players, more often than not, determine the outcome of the games, the referees can play a part. How the game is officiated will impact some of the game plans made by the coaching staff. This series could be determined by how tight the referees call the game.
The Lakers had historic free throw disparities in the final weeks of the season. It helped them get on track as they finished the season strong. On the season they were 20th in free throw shooting percentage at 77.5 percent, but the Grizzlies finished dead last at 73.3 percent.
Los Angeles led the league in attempts, while Memphis was 13th. The Grizzlies commit 20 fouls per game, while the Lakers have the least fouls called against them with only 17.9. But, it is who those fouls are called on.
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Dillon Brooks and Jackson are foul machines. They both were in the top-15 of the NBA in fouls committed, averaging 3.3 and 3.6 per game. Losing key rotation players to foul trouble is a quick way to have a game unravel.
3. Dillon Brooks vs. LeBron James
Brooks has garnered a pretty negative reputation around the league, but he is a big part of the Grizzlies’ success. He is an instigator and brings an edge to the team that the rest of his teammates feed off of.
Brooks will be tasked with trying to slow down LeBron James in this series. He had some success slowing down the all-time leading scorer, as James shot 8-of-21 and scored 23 points. That was something Brooks let the world know about, which James will not forget.
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James is difficult to rattle and always takes his game to another level when it matters most. Brooks will do his best to get under his skin and derail James and if he finds success, the Lakers’ game plan could have to adjust accordingly.
X-Factor: Setting The Pace
This will be a fast-paced series as both teams are ranked in the top five this season, with the Lakers at 101.3 and the Grizzlies at 101.1. While both teams play fast, Los Angeles struggles in transition.
They surrendered 23.4 points per game in transition, which was the fourth-most in the league. It is surprising given how successful they were on the defensive end, ranking 12th in defensive rating on the season and third since the trade deadline.
The Grizzlies find a lot of success in transition led by Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, who are fifth and seventh in transition points individually. As a team, the Grizzlies are second in the NBA with 25.8 transition points per game.
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Memphis will look to get out in the open court as often as possible, taking advantage of the one weakness that Los Angeles has defensively. If this series is played in the halfcourt, the Lakers have a distinct advantage.
Prediction
The Grizzlies have arrived in the Western Conference. They should contend for years to come but will find some challenges against the Lakers. While Los Angeles isn’t a big team, they do hold an advantage on the interior with Davis, Jarred Vanderbilt and James. Outside of Jackson, the Grizzlies are lacking with Brandon Clarke and Steven Adams both sidelined.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS COVERAGE: Los Angeles Lakers & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
3-point shooting will also be important in this series with so much focus on slowing down interior presences in Morant, Jackson, James and Davis. Players such as Bane, Brooks, Luke Kennard and Tyus Jones should find opportunities for the Grizzlies with Malik Beasley, D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Troy Brown shooting from deep for Los Angeles.
There is an edge for the Lakers in the experience department, which will ultimately be the deciding factor. The duo of James and Davis is still a dangerous one and they will lead the new-look Lakers to a victory. Los Angeles will win the series in six games, advancing to take on the winner of the series between the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors.
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