The Los Angeles Lakers are rejuvenated after winning on Wednesday for the first time in what felt like forever for their fans. Up ahead for them is another date with the Memphis Grizzlies, who are also coming off a huge victory.
Catch this game live on Thursday, December 30, at 9 AM, Manila time
Away: Los Angeles Lakers (17-18/7-8 on the road)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Russell Westbrook
- SG: Avery Bradley
- SF: LeBron James
- PF: Stanley Jonhson
- C: Dwight Howard
The Lakers finally snapped their five-game losing streak by taking care of business Wednesday with a 132-123 road win over the Houston Texans. LeBron James (32 points, 11 assists, 11 rebounds) and Russell Westbrook (24 points, 10 assists, 12 rebounds)each posted a triple-double with both also shooting over 50% from the field. Malik Monk chipped in 25 points, while Carmelo Anthony fired 24 bench points. Overall, the Lakers shot 52.2 FG%, and it came with James playing center.
It’s unlikely that James will continue to play the 5 this Thursday, considering the size of the Grizzlies’ frontcourt so expect Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan to have at least a few cups of coffees on the floor after both logged in zero minutes in the Rockets game. James and Westbrook are going to keep producing for the Lakers no matter what, so it would be up to the supporting players like Monk and Anthony to step up and continue producing. When the Lakers beat Memphis at home back in October, 121-118, Monk and Anthony scored 12 and 28 points, respectively.
The Lakers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games playing on zero days rest.
Home: Memphis Grizzlies (21-14/11-8 at home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Ja Morant
- SG: Desmond Bane
- SF: Kyle Anderson
- PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
- C: Steven Adams
The Grizzlies are feeling high after tripping up the Phoenix Suns on the road last Tuesday in a 114-113 victory. The duo of Ja Morant and the much-improved Desmond Bane was doused cold water on the Suns. Morant had 33 points, while Bane scored 32 on the strength of a hot 6/11 shooting from behind the arc. Thursday’s game against the Lakers will be Morant’s first time seeing LeBron James and company again since the aforementioned October matchup. In that game, Morant went off for 40 points.
When the Grizzlies beat LA earlier this month at home, 108-95, Morant was sidelined due to an injury. Instead, it was the pair of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Bane who led the Grizzlies, with JJJ unpacking 25 points and Bane adding 23 points. The absence of Davis on the side of the Lakers will be a huge plus for Memphis, which has the combo of Jackson and Steven Adams in the frontcourt. The Grizzlies are second in the NBA with 54.1 points per game in the paint and without Davis protecting the rim for LA, Morant and company could have a field day attacking the rack.
The Grizzlies are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games against the Lakers.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: These old Lakers might not have enough juice in their legs to keep up with the much younger Grizzlies group. Leaning on Memphis to cover the spread (+4).
Over/Under: The Grizzlies are well-rested and had just scored 114 points against a stout Suns defense. The Lakers aren’t going to score 132 points on back-to-back nights but they should be good enough for over 100 based on their latest form. Taking the Over here (225.5).
