The Los Angeles Lakers need to satisfy their fans. Will the Lakers finally get that elusive victory this Monday at home against the Memphis Grizzlies? Ja Morant and the Grizzlies are undefeated. A win against the Lakers should be a huge boost to Memphis’ confidence, especially after it had just beaten the LA Clippers.

Catch this game live on Monday, October 25, at 9:30 AM, Manila time

Away: Memphis Grizzlies (2-0 record/1-0 on the road)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Ja Morant
  • SG: De’Anthony Melton
  • SF: Desmond Bane
  • PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
  • C: Steven Adams

The Grizzlies defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers at home during their season opener, 132-121. If that dominant win didn’t turn heads towards Memphis’ direction, the Grizzlies’ 120-114 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday definitely should. Memphis’ offense has been electric. The team is shooting 50 FG% and 42.0 3FG%. The Grizzlies’ backcourt has been lethal, and it could claim another victim this Monday when it faces a Lakers squad that’s struggling on both ends of the floor. 

The Lakers had just been toyed by the trio of Mikal Bridges, Chris Paul, and Devin Booker last Saturday. One day of rest doesn’t seem enough for the Lakers to be fully ready in taking on the triumvirate of Ja Morant, De’Anthony Melton, and Desmond Bane. Morant leads the Grizzlies with 65 points through two games, while Melton and Bane have 42 and 41 points during that same stretch, respectively. The Grizzlies are 10-4 against the spread in their last 14 games as a road team against a squad that owns a sub-.500 home record.

Home: Los Angeles Lakers (0-2 record/0-2 at home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Russell Westbrook
  • SG: Kent Bazemore
  • SF: LeBron James
  • PF: Anthony Davis
  • C: DeAndre Jordan

It’s too early to tell whether the Lakers have a serious problem, but alarm bells are already starting to ring in Hollywood after Los Angeles lost to the Phoenix Suns over the weekend, 115-105. Prior to that, the Lakers got dropped by the Golden State Warriors, also at home, 121-114. Defense is arguably the biggest problem of the Lakers, as evidenced by the 236 total points they have surrendered to the Warriors and the Suns. It’s not as bad on the other side of the floor for the Lakers, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the charge. 

The Grizzlies aren’t that great defensively, so if they want to turn this game into a firefight, the Lakers will oblige. King James and AD can take turns punishing Memphis’ defense that is ranked 25th with 117.5 points allowed per game. Despite Russell Westbrook throwing up bricks, the Lakers have made 15 3-pointers in each of their last two games. Speaking of Westbrook, this could be the game where he finally has his breakout performance in Purple & Gold threads. The Lakers are 7-2 against the spread in their last nine games at home opposite Memphis.

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PREDICTIONS:

Spread: It’s hard to imagine the Lakers going winless in their first three games of the season, but I find LA’s spread as a 7-point favorite in this game a bit bloated. The Lakers have not been rebounding the ball well. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, count rebounding as one of their key strengths. The Grizzlies control the pace and score a lot again. Take the Grizzlies to cover (+7).

Over/Under: Both the Grizzlies and the Lakers can score a lot. They also both own questionable defenses. Sounds like an Over (221.5) to me.