LeBron James and Anthony Davis are coming off an exciting win at the All-Star Game, and they hope to lead the Lake Show to a third straight win against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers have beaten the Grizz in a blowout and a cardiac finish this season.
HOME TEAM: Los Angeles Lakers (41-12, 18-7 at home)
The Lakers went to the All-Star break with a three-game winning streak. They are averaging 123.3 points per game on 51.5% shooting in that stretch, with the most recent win being an exciting 120-116 overtime thriller over the Denver Nuggets.
LeBron James, who’s consistently pacing the league in assists (10.8 APG), was in scoring mode in his previous encounter with the Grizzlies. He scored a game-high 30 and shot 27 times, his highest in regulation this season. Anthony Davis is in the same vein as he poured in 40 points in three quarters during the first meeting.
The third scorer is always a question mark for the Lakers, but the good news is the supporting cast has been mostly efficient this season. Guys like Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Avery Bradley, Alex Caruso, Javale McGee, and Dwight Howard are all playing their roles well, particularly the latter, who’s been coming up huge defensively and in relief for AD.
ROAD TEAM: Memphis Grizzlies (28-27, 12-14 on the road)
The Grizzlies head to the All-Star break as winners of four of their last five. They failed to build off of that upon returning Friday, however, as they lost to the Sacramento Kings in a high-scoring affair, 129-125.
That said, Memphis still have the momentum of an exciting, upstart team. The boys are 17-5 in their last 22 games, averaging over 116 points per game on 49% shooting in that span.
Top Rookie of the Year candidate Ja Morant (17.6 PPG, 7.1 APG) is among the hottest young guys in the league, and he leads a core that’s filled with the likes of Jaren Jackson Jr. (17.1 PPG, 1.7 BPG), Dillon Brooks (15.7 PPG), and Brandon Clarke (12.3 PPG). A veteran presence in the paint is also on deck courtesy of Jonas Valanciunas (14.9 PPG, 10.5 RPG).
As expected, Morant is the Grizzlies’ key man in the season series. He’s averaging 21 points, four assists, and 3.5 steals in the two match-ups.
PREDICTION:
The Lakers are always having issues defending scoring and shifty guards, so Morant may have a big game. The Lake Show should be able to reign again, though, and make the series three-zip. They win, 115-109.
