Date/Time: 02-21-2020, 22:30 EDT / 03:30 GMT
Spread: Los Angeles Lakers -11 Total: +232.5
In this duel between two Western Conference teams that would face each other in the first round of the playoffs if the postseason started today, the first Los Angeles Lakers (41-12), who have lost only once in their last 6 games, are hosting the eighth Memphis Grizzlies (28-27), who on the other hand want to bounce back after their latest defeat.
Los Angeles Lakers have a 41-12 record (28-24-1 against the spread) and are sitting in the first place of the West. They have won five of their last six matches and in their last game they won on the road against the Nuggets with a 120-116 score in overtime, beating the odds. Anthony Davis leads the team both in scoring with 26.6 ppg and in rebounding with 9.2 per game. He isHe isLeBron James follows with 25 ppg, adding 7.8 rebounds and a league-best 10.8 assists per game.
Memphis Grizzlies have a 28-27 record (30-24-1 against the spread) and are sitting in the 8th place of the West. In their last game they saw a two-game winning streak getting snapped by losing on the road against the Kings with a 125-129 score, not beating the odds. Ja Morant leads the team both in scoring with 17.7 ppg and in assists made with 7 per game. Jaren Jackson Jr. follows with 17.1 ppg and 4.7 rebounds per game.
Lakers have won both previous meetings against the Grizzlies this season. At home by 29 points and on the road by one. Lakers are 18-7 at home, while the Grizzlies are 12-14 on the road. Lakers are better both offensively, scoring 114.7 ppg to Grizzlies’ 113.2 and defensively, allowing 107.3 ppg to Grizzlies’ 114.7. They also have better percentages both in field goals (48.8% to 47.3%) and in 3-pointers (36.3% to 35.2%). On the other hand, Grizzlies are better in assists made (27.3 to 26.3). Both teams are very close in rebounding (46.2 to 45.2) and commit exactly 15.2 turnovers per game. Lakers have a big spread in their favor (-11) and expect them to cover it against an inferior Grizzlies team that play their second game of a back-to-back set tonight.
Grizzlies vs Lakers Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers -11 (-111)
