Do the Grizzlies equalize?
Memphis lost the opener against the Lakers. For the home side, however, a botched start to the postseason is nothing new: in the past three series of the playoffs, the hosts have always conceded a loss in the first game in front of their own fans.
Memphis Grizzlies – Statistics & current form
Memphis qualified for the NBA playoffs for the third consecutive season. In the past two seasons, however, after the first round against Utah and second round against the Warriors, the postseason was already over for the Grizzlies after a short time in each case.
In the current edition of the NBA playoffs, a similar fate could occur. Although the loss in the first game against the Lakers is not yet a big break, but the personnel situation has now once again possibly significantly worsened.
Thick question mark behind Morant
Even before the tip-off in the last game against LA, center Steven Adams and forward Brandon Clarke were missing two important players who will probably also be unable to play in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, but now the hosts from the “Bluff City” are also fearing for their top player Ja Morant.
The guard went into the meeting with the Lakers with a hand injury and it has now very likely worsened, as Morant unfortunately landed on that very hand in a fall in the fourth quarter, aggravating the injury.
LA Lakers – statistics & current form
LA meets Memphis for the first time in the postseason and the success in the first game naturally boosted the confidence of the Californians. Rui Hachimura delivered a particularly strong performance.
The Japanese recorded a new personal playoff record with 29 points off the bench. The guests also proved once again their very stable form of recent weeks with the success at the strongest team in the NBA at home in the regular season. Only one of the last nine games was lost by the guests!
Memphis Grizzlies – LA Lakers tip
For the duel between the Memphis Grizzlies and LA Lakers, the tip and odds on more than 22.5 points by Jaren Jackson Jr. are worth considering. The power forward was named the NBA’s best defensive player this week, but he has also been convincing in forward play. So he delivered in the first comparison with the Lakers stately 31 points!
In addition, he has recorded at least that number in four of his past five games. Underpinning the prediction is Ja Morant’s injury, which means the home side’s actual leading scorer may now have to take a break. This would make Jaren Jackson Jr. even more of a challenge in the offense.
