Grizzlies vs Lakers Game 2 Prediction NBA Playoffs Pick 4/19
- A Plus Picks
- Apr 18, 2023, 11:36:18 PM
© Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Game Preview: Lakers vs Grizzlies - NBA Picks, Experts Predictions, and More
The Los Angeles Lakers will take a 1-0 lead into game 2 against the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference first round on April 19, 2023. The Grizzlies will host the game at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee, with tip-off time scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EDT. The Grizzlies are favored to win by 1 point, and the over/under is set at 226.5. Experts have mixed opinions on this game, with both the Lakers and Grizzlies receiving support from NBA picks experts and NBA picks computers. NBA picks and parlays are also available for bettors looking to capitalize on this matchup. Best NBA bets today and NBA picks with spread can be found from several NBA experts' picks today. The Lakers won the last meeting between these two teams, 128-112 on April 16, led by a 29-point performance from Rui Hachimura. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 31 points for the Grizzlies in the loss. However, the Grizzlies have gone 30-22 against Western Conference teams, while the Lakers have gone 27-25 against their conference opponents. The Grizzlies are second in the league with 18.0 fastbreak points per game, led by Desmond Bane averaging 7.0. Meanwhile, the Lakers rank ninth in the Western Conference, holding opponents to just 116.6 points and 46.9% shooting. In terms of top performers, Jaren Jackson Jr. is averaging 31 points, four assists, and two blocks for the Grizzlies, while Desmond Bane is averaging 19.1 points over the last 10 games for Memphis. D'Angelo Russell is shooting 47.0% and averaging 17.8 points for the Lakers, while LeBron James is averaging 2.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games. The Grizzlies are 5-5 in their last 10 games, averaging 118.2 points, 45.0 rebounds, 28.5 assists, 7.7 steals, and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 48.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.4 points per game. On the other hand, the Lakers are 8-2, averaging 123.2 points, 47.6 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 6.5 steals, and 5.8 blocks per game, while shooting 50.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.3 points.
Lakers: Offensive Analysis
The Los Angeles Lakers come into Game 2 of the Western Conference first-round with a 1-0 lead over the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers won the last meeting between these two teams with a score of 128-112 led by 29 points from Rui Hachimura. The Lakers' offense has been playing well lately, averaging 123.2 points per game over their last 10 games. When it comes to offensive metrics, the Lakers rank 6th in the league in points per game with an average of 117.2. They have been solid in the paint, ranking 6th in the league in points in the paint per game with an average of 54.5. Their fastbreak game has been strong all season long, ranking 4th in the league with an average of 16.8 fastbreak points per game. They have also been efficient from the free-throw line, ranking 2nd in the league with an average of 20.6 free throws made per game. However, the Lakers' offense has some areas for improvement. They rank 24th in the league in 3-pointers made per game with an average of 10.8 3-pointers made. Their effective field goal percentage of 54.2% ranks 18th in the league. Additionally, their turnovers per game (14.2) and steals per game (6.4) rank in the middle of the league. The Lakers will need LeBron James and D'Angelo Russell to step up their scoring if they want to continue their success in the playoffs. James has been averaging 2.4 made 3-pointers over their last 10 games, and Russell has been shooting 47.0% from the field while averaging 17.8 points. In order to get past the Grizzlies and advance in the playoffs, the Lakers will need their offense to continue to play at a high level while improving in some key areas.
Lakers: Defensive Analysis
As the Lakers take a 1-0 lead into their second game against the Grizzlies in the Western Conference, it's important to analyze their defensive performance. Los Angeles ranks ninth in the Western Conference, allowing just 116.6 points while holding opponents to a 46.9% shooting percentage. The Lakers' defense will need to step up to continue their success against Memphis. The Grizzlies boast a strong offense, averaging 116.9 points per game, and are led by Jaren Jackson Jr.'s 31 points per game. Desmond Bane has also been a key contributor, averaging 19.1 points over the last 10 games. In terms of defensive statistics, the Lakers are averaging 6.4 steals per game, which ranks 26th in the league. They also have a relatively low block percentage at 5%, which ranks 20th in the league. However, they do excel at forcing turnovers, averaging 14.2 turnovers per game. The Lakers will need to continue their strong defensive play to counter the Grizzlies' potent offense. This will be a key factor in determining the outcome of the game and the series as a whole. As predictions and NBA picks experts have noted, the Lakers will have to maintain their defensive discipline and play sound fundamental defense to limit the Grizzlies' offensive production. With solid defensive play, the Lakers have a chance to build on their 1-0 series lead and advance in the Western Conference playoffs.
Grizzlies: Offense Analysis
The Memphis Grizzlies will need to step up their offensive game as they host the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of the Western Conference first-round series. In the last meeting, the Grizzlies lost by a significant margin of 16 points, and they cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes again. The Grizzlies have been averaging 116.9 points per game, ranking them ninth in the league. However, their effective field goal percentage of 54.0% only places them at 19th in the league. The Grizzlies will need to improve their shooting percentage, especially from beyond the arc, where they rank 22nd in the league with only 35.1%. The Grizzlies have been dominant in the paint, scoring 58.3 points per game, which is the highest in the league. For the Grizzlies to succeed in Game 2, they must continue to find ways to get the ball inside and score points in the paint. Memphis is also ranked second in the league with 18.0 fast break points per game, led by Desmond Bane, who is averaging 7.0 fastbreak points. The Lakers will need to be prepared to defend against the Grizzlies' fast-paced game. However, the Grizzlies need to be wary of their turnovers, as they have been averaging 13.6 turnovers per game, ranking them 12th in the league. The Lakers are ranked 7th in the league for steals per game, averaging 6.8 steals, and they will undoubtedly take advantage of any mistakes made by the Grizzlies. In conclusion, the Grizzlies will need to improve their shooting percentage and limit their turnovers to maximize their chances of winning Game 2. With the series sitting at 1-0 in favor of the Lakers, the Grizzlies' offense must step up if they want to avoid falling behind even further.
Grizzlies: Defensive Analysis
In the upcoming game against the Los Angeles Lakers, defense will play a crucial role for the Memphis Grizzlies. As the second-ranked team in the Western Conference, the Grizzlies have shown their defensive prowess throughout the season. Memphis has been holding their opponents to an average of 113.2 points per game, which ranks 13th in the league. They also have a solid average score margin of +3.7, which is 4th in the league. These stats show that the Grizzlies have been able to keep their opponents' scoring in check, which will be important in preventing the Lakers' offense from taking over the game. Moreover, the Grizzlies are excellent at defending the paint, holding their opponents to just 47.5 points in the paint per game. This is 5th in the league and will allow them to limit the Lakers' scoring opportunities inside the arc. Memphis has also been dominant on the defensive boards, grabbing 34.5 defensive rebounds per game, which ranks 3rd in the league. This shows their ability to limit second-chance points for their opponents and will be crucial in preventing the Lakers from capitalizing on offensive rebounds. Overall, the Grizzlies' defensive performance has been consistent throughout the season, and they will need to bring their best defensive game to prevent the Lakers from taking a 2-0 lead in the series. With their strong defense, the Grizzlies are in a good position to limit the Lakers' offensive production and secure a win in the upcoming game.
Injury Report Analysis
The Grizzlies have a few injury concerns heading into this game. Steven Adams is still out with a knee injury, Brandon Clarke is out for the season with an Achilles injury, and Jake LaRavia is out with a calf injury. Ja Morant is listed as day-to-day with a hand injury but it remains to be seen whether or not he will play in this game. On the other hand, the Lakers don't have any injuries to report. This gives them an advantage in terms of overall health and may factor into their ability to win this game. Overall, the Grizzlies will need to find ways to overcome their injury issues, while the Lakers will look to take advantage of their healthier roster to secure another win in this series. It will be interesting to see how both teams adapt to their respective injury situations.
| Player | Team | Position | Injury Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steven Adams | Memphis Grizzlies | C | Out (Knee) |
| Brandon Clarke | Memphis Grizzlies | PF | Out for season (Achilles) |
| Jake LaRavia | Memphis Grizzlies | F | Out (Calf) |
| Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies | PG | Day to day (Hand) |
| None listed | Los Angeles Lakers |
Betting Trends Analysis
The Lakers and Grizzlies have been consistently popular NBA picks among experts and computer predictions this season. The Lakers have gone 33-46-3 against the spread and the Grizzlies have gone 41-39-2 against the spread. The Lakers have been trending up in recent games, going 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 matchups. Their offense has been particularly strong, averaging 123.2 points per game during that stretch. They have also been effective at covering the spread as underdogs, going 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games in that role. On the other hand, the Grizzlies have been inconsistent, going 5-5 against the spread in their last 10 games. However, they have been strong at home, going 24-15-1 against the spread at FedEx Forum this season. They have also been effective at covering the spread as favorites, going 18-13-1 against the spread in that role. When it comes to the over/under, both teams have had a tendency to go over the total. The Lakers have gone over in six of their last 10 games, while the Grizzlies have gone over in seven of their last 10 games. The total for this game is set at 226.5, so it may be worth considering the over. Overall, the Lakers may be the safer bet given their recent form and ability to cover as underdogs. However, the Grizzlies' home record and ability to cover as favorites cannot be ignored. It may be worth monitoring the line movements leading up to the game to make an informed decision on which team to bet on.
Prediction
The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into Game 2 against the Memphis Grizzlies with a 1-0 series lead, but the Grizzlies are not a team to be underestimated. Despite the Lakers' recent hot streak, the Grizzlies have been performing consistently throughout the season and have a strong record against Western Conference teams. Key players to watch for the Grizzlies include Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane, who have been putting up impressive numbers in recent games. Meanwhile, the Lakers will be relying on D'Angelo Russell and LeBron James to lead the team to victory. Overall, this game is shaping up to be a closely contested matchup. While the Lakers are the favorites on paper, our experts predict that the Grizzlies will come out on top, covering the spread and tying up the series.
Pick: Grizzlies +1
