Grizzlies vs Lakers Game 1 Prediction NBA Picks Today 4/16

© Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Lakers vs Grizzlies NBA Game Preview: LeBron and Lakers back in playoffs against Ja Morant and Grizzlies

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are back in the NBA postseason, and the league's all-time leading scorer couldn't be more ready. The Lakers missed last year's playoffs, and Phoenix bounced the then-defending champs in just six games in 2021. These Lakers had to win 10 of their final 12 and rally from 15 down to beat Minnesota in overtime Tuesday night to clinch the No.7 seed. Now, they face off against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. The Lakers won the season series 2-1, with Morant sitting out the final meeting on March 7 for what wound up as an eight-game suspension by the NBA. But experts and NBA picks computers predict that the Grizzlies are a safe bet to cover in their Game 1 matchup against LeBron James and the Lakers. Joe Fortenbaugh explains why he likes the Grizzlies to cover in the game. Memphis just posted its second straight 50-win season and sixth in franchise history at 51-31. This is the Grizzlies' third straight playoff berth and second in a row as the West’s No. 2 seed. They're determined to prove how much they've matured, and their last playoff run ended in the semifinals. Morant was sidelined for the final three of six games in the loss to eventual champ Golden State. The Grizzlies are the NBA’s third-best team scoring in transition and best in the paint thanks to Ja Morant's high-flying dunks or acrobatic assists, but Lakers' Anthony Davis will try to shut him down. This game represents an opportunity for both teams to go out and prove themselves on the big stage. Will LeBron lead the Lakers to their fifth NBA title, or will Morant and the Grizzlies knock out the defending champs in the first round? NBA picks and parlay experts are eagerly awaiting the tip-off.

Lakers: Offensive Analysis

The Los Angeles Lakers have had an up and down season, but they are back in the NBA postseason led by their superstar, LeBron James. Despite this, they face a tough challenge in the Memphis Grizzlies in their first-round matchup. In order for the Lakers to have a chance in this series, they will need to execute on the offensive end. Looking at the Lakers’ stats, it’s clear that they have a solid offense, ranking 7th in the league with 117.1 points per game. They also excel in fast break opportunities, averaging 16.7 points per game, which is 4th best in the league. They also utilize the paint well, scoring 54.5 points per game, which is 6th in the NBA. However, there are some areas for concern. Their three-point shooting has been lackluster this season, ranking 25th in the league with a 34.6% clip. Additionally, they are prone to turnovers, averaging 14.2 per game, which puts them in the middle of the pack in the NBA. In order to be successful against the Grizzlies, the Lakers will need to find more consistency with their outside shooting and limit their turnovers. They have the talent on their roster to do so, with stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the way. But they will need secondary players to step up, such as Dennis Schroder and Kyle Kuzma. Ultimately, the Lakers’ success on the offensive end will be key in their series against the Grizzlies. They will need to find ways to score consistently while limiting their mistakes. As the playoffs are often decided by which team executes better, the Lakers’ offensive performance will be closely watched by NBA experts, computer predictions, and fans alike.

Lakers: Defensive Analysis

As the Lakers gear up to face the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs, their defense will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the series. The Lakers have had an up-and-down season defensively, ranking 19th in opponent points per game, but also 4th in average score margin. Here's a closer look at how the Lakers stack up defensively, and what they'll need to do to slow down the Grizzlies. First and foremost, the Lakers must find a way to slow down Ja Morant, who has averaged 26.2 points per game this season and is the engine that makes the Memphis offense go. The Lakers have a number of wing defenders who they can throw at Morant, including LeBron James and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but they'll need to be disciplined and avoid gambling for steals or getting caught out of position. The Lakers' defense is at its best when they force their opponents into tough shots and don't give up easy looks, and that will be especially important against the Grizzlies. In addition to containing Morant, the Lakers will need to be stout in the frontcourt, where they'll face off against Jaren Jackson Jr. and Xavier Tillman. Anthony Davis will likely draw the assignment of guarding Jackson, who has blossomed into one of the league's better young big men. Meanwhile, Tillman is an elite rebounder who will give the Lakers fits on the offensive glass if they're not careful. The Lakers will need to be physical and focused in the paint if they want to slow down the Memphis frontcourt. Finally, the Lakers will need to find a way to tighten up their perimeter defense, which has been vulnerable at times this season. The Grizzlies are the NBA's best team at scoring in the paint, but they're also a dangerous three-point shooting team, led by Luke Kennard, who is shooting 49.4% from beyond the arc this season. The Lakers will need to pressure the Memphis shooters and avoid giving up open looks from deep, while also staying disciplined in transition to prevent easy transition buckets. All told, the Lakers have the talent and experience to be a tough defensive team when they're locked in and focused. If they can execute their game plan and slow down the Grizzlies' attack, they have a good chance to win the series and advance to the next round.

Grizzlies: Offense Analysis

As the Memphis Grizzlies prepare to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, their offense will be a key factor in determining their success. According to NBA picks experts, the Grizzlies are a safe bet due to their potent offense, which ranked among the league's best during the regular season. Led by two-time All-Star guard Ja Morant, the Grizzlies' offense averaged 116.9 points per game, ranking them ninth in the league. Morant set a franchise record by averaging 26.2 points per game and is expected to be a major factor in the team's playoff run. The Grizzlies also excel in transition, ranking fourth in fastbreak points per game with 18.0. Their high-flying dunks and acrobatic assists have been a trademark of their offense and will be a challenge for the Lakers to defend. Memphis' success in the paint has also been a major contributor to their offensive output. They lead the league in points in the paint per game with 58.3 and rank third in the league in scoring in transition, behind only the Brooklyn Nets and Utah Jazz. In terms of shooting efficiency, the Grizzlies rank 21st in effective field goal percentage, but their ability to get to the free throw line has been a strength. Memphis ranks second in free throw attempt rate, which measures the frequency at which a team attempts free throws relative to field goal attempts. Overall, the Grizzlies' offense is a well-balanced unit that ranks among the league's best in several key categories. NBA picks and computer NBA picks both predict success for the Grizzlies in their playoff matchup against the Lakers, and it will be up to the Lakers to find a way to slow down their high-powered offense.

Grizzlies: Defensive Analysis

As the Grizzlies prepare for their first-round playoff matchup against the Lakers, their defense will be crucial in determining the outcome of the series. In this defensive analysis, we will take a closer look at how the Grizzlies match up against the Lakers and what their defensive strengths are. First and foremost, the Grizzlies are one of the league's best at slowing down fastbreak opportunities. They rank fourth in fastbreak points allowed per game (13.8) and third in points scored in transition (18.0). This will be a key factor in stopping the Lakers, who are also an excellent transition team led by LeBron James. The Grizzlies also excel at defending the paint, ranking first in the league in points in the paint (58.3) and fifth in points allowed in the paint (47.4). This bodes well for their matchup against the Lakers, who rely heavily on scoring inside from big men Anthony Davis and Andre Drummond. Additionally, Memphis is a strong rebounding team, ranking third in the league in total rebounds per game (55.5). This will be important in limiting second-chance opportunities for the Lakers and controlling the pace of the game. On the defensive end, the Grizzlies will look to their backcourt to slow down the Lakers' perimeter players. Dillon Brooks and Ja Morant have proven to be effective defenders, with Brooks often tasked with guarding the opponent's best player. Morant, while not known for his defense, has shown flashes of strong on-ball defense and will need to continue to improve in that area as he faces the likes of LeBron James and Dennis Schroder. In conclusion, while the Lakers may have the star power and experience, the Grizzlies' defensive strengths give them a chance to pull off an upset in this series. Look for their ability to control the paint, limit fastbreak opportunities, and rebounding prowess to be key factors in deciding the outcome. 

Injury Report

As the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies gear up for their first-round playoff matchup, both teams have some key injuries to keep an eye on. For the Lakers, starting point guard Dennis Schroder has missed the team's last seven games due to the NBA's health and safety protocols. While there has been no confirmation on his availability for Game 1, his absence would be a significant blow for a team that relies heavily on LeBron James to create scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, Memphis will be without starting center Steven Adams, who has been sidelined since late January with an injured right knee. This means Jaren Jackson Jr. will have to step up and defend against Anthony Davis, who has been on an offensive tear since returning from a stress fracture in his right foot. The Grizzlies also have concerns with guard Grayson Allen, who is dealing with an abdominal strain and missed the team's final two regular-season games. If he is unable to play, it could limit Memphis' depth and shooting ability off the bench. Overall, both teams will need to make adjustments to compensate for their injury concerns. With playoff intensity ramping up, it will be crucial for players to step up and fill these gaps to secure victory in what is sure to be a hard-fought series.

Betting Trends Analysis: Lakers vs. Grizzlies

The Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies meet in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, and both teams have strong betting trends to consider. The Grizzlies have been a safe bet this season, thanks in large part to their league-leading record at home. Memphis posted an impressive 35-6 record at home, which is the most home wins by any team since Golden State had 36-5 in the 2016-17 season. Additionally, the Grizzlies are the NBA's third-best team for scoring in transition and best in the paint. On the other side of the court, the Lakers are coming in hot, winning 10 of their final 12 regular-season games to clinch the No. 7 seed. However, they have struggled on the road, tying for the third-best road record in the West at 20-21. When it comes to NBA picks and predictions, the experts are leaning towards the Grizzlies covering the spread in Game 1. Joe Fortenbaugh, an NBA picks expert, explains why he likes the Grizzlies to cover in their Game 1 matchup against LeBron James and the Lakers. In terms of NBA picks and parlays, the consensus is that the Grizzlies are a good bet. Many NBA picks and computer models predict the Grizzlies will win and cover the spread. With a franchise record of 51-31 this season, the Grizzlies are determined to prove how much they've matured and show the league their potential for a championship. Overall, the Grizzlies' home court advantage, strong record in transition and paint, and recent success make them a safe bet against the Lakers in Game 1. However, the Lakers' playoff experience and resurgence towards the end of the regular season cannot be discounted. Ultimately, bettors will need to weigh these factors when making their NBA picks and betting decisions.

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