The Los Angeles Lakers will play one more game in Tennessee before the series against the Memphis Grizzlies shifts to La La Land. Will the Lakers go up 2-0 after Game 2? Or, will the Grizzlies prevent a two-game deficit?
Catch this game live on Thursday, April 20, at 7:30 AM, Manila time
Away: Los Angeles Lakers (1-0)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: D’Angelo Russell
- SG: Austin Reaves
- SF: LeBron James (Doubtful)
- PF: Jarred Vanderbilt
- C: Anthony Davis (Doubtful)
Los Angeles stunned the Grizzlies in Game 1, as they stole a game on the road right away with a 128-112 win in the series opener. The Lakers have gotten scarier of late, in part because they’ve seemingly learned how to play off each other after a phase in which they have to get familiarized with their new-look roster following the trade deadline and the absence of LeBron James.
Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura played heroes in Game 1 for the Lakers, scoring 23 and 29 points, respectively, while Anthony Davis morphed into a monster with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and seven blocks. Davis and LeBron are listed as doubtful/probable, but expect both to play in Game 2. The Lakers’ job could get significantly easier than expected in Game 2 if Ja Morant ultimately gets ruled out. The Lakers are 5-1 ATS in their last six games versus a team with a record better than .500.
Home: Memphis Grizzlies (0-1)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Ja Morant (Doubtful)
- SG: Desmond Bane
- SF: Dillon Brooks
- PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
- C: Xavier Tillman
Morant’s availability could be decided close to Thursday’s tipoff, as he is seemingly not 100% yet after reinjuring his right hand during a brutal fall in Game 1. If Morant fails to suit up, it’s going to be showtime for Tyus Jones, who isn’t the sexiest name out there in this series, but he’s always been a stable placeholder at the PG slot whenever Morant is out.
Per 36 minutes, Jones is averaging 15.3 points, 7.7 assists, and 1.5 steals, while shooting 37.1 percent from behind the arc during the regular season. Also remember that the Grizzlies are still the home team in Game 2. Plus, Memphis has a long history of bouncing back strong after a bad loss. In fact, the Grizzlies are 37-16 against the spread in their last 53 games following a defeat of more than 10 points.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: The Grizzlies (+1.5) cover the spread.
Over/Under: The total (226.5) hits the Over.