Perhaps the spark both the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers need now is a game against each other.
A rematch of their feisty Round 1 playoff series a year ago that the Lakers won in six goes Friday from Crypto.com, with L.A. trying to snap a three-game skid and an ugly 2-8 mark since winning the NBA In-Season Tourney.
Memphis got a shot in the arm with the return of Ja Morant, but after an opening four-game win streak, the Grizz have dropped four of five, and are four-point NBA odds underdogs.
Read below for my free Grizzlies vs Lakers preview, complete with my best free NBA picks for Friday, January 5.
Grizzlies vs Lakers odds
Grizzlies vs Lakers predictions
There’s a power outage on the Lakers right now.
Their latest loss was a frustrating 110-96 loss at the hands of the Miami Heat, who came into Crypto and leaned on L.A. till they faltered. The eventual undoing came in the fourth quarter, when Miami outscored L.A. 38-29 to win going away.
In its last three losses to Minnesota, New Orleans, and the Heat, Los Angeles is averaging just 103.7 points per game, roughly 10 points off its season average.
The Lakers have talked a lot about continuity, and it won’t be there again Friday, with D’Angelo Russell (tailbone), Rui Hachimura (calf), and Gabe Vincent (knee) all out.
The unstable role-player rotations are notable because LeBron James and Anthony Davis have actually been delivering during these losses.
Davis has averaged 27 points on 59.2% shooting, with 14.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and four blocks over the last three. James is right there too, averaging 24 points on 45.2% shooting, with 4.7 rebounds and 7.7 assists — and that’s taking into account a clunker vs the Heat, when he was 6-for-18 for 12 points, including an ugly 0-for-6 mark from 3-point range.
After a feel-good four-game win streak marking the return of Morant to the lineup, the Grizzlies hit the skids when they hit the meaty part of their sched, getting creamed by the Nuggets, Clippers, and Kings. After a win over the lowly Spurs, they were most recently dumped at home by the Toronto Raptors.
Like L.A., the Grizzlies are begging for buckets, They’re averaging just 104 points across the last five games, and they’re tied for last in the league, shooting just 43.7% from the field.
Their defense has surrendered 124.5 points in those four losses. Memphis usually allows 113.4 points (13th), a few spots above the 16th-placed Lakers (114.6).
Including the playoffs from last year, the Lakers have covered four of the last five, including their lone matchup this season, a 134-107 L.A. win in November.
With Ja Morant back, I don’t believe this one will be a blowout, yet I think the low-scoring trend continues. Memphis has gone Under the total in four straight, while the Under has hit in the last two of three for the Lakers.
The Over is just 3-6-1 in their last 10 head-to-heads.
My best bet: Under 228 points (-110 +136 at DraftKings) 50% boost available
Grizzlies vs Lakers same-game parlay
Under 228 points
Anthony Davis Over 27.5 points
Desmond Bane Under 3.5 threes made
25% boost available
Let’s keep that Under to create a three-leg SGP, adding Davis into the mix. He’s been remarkable through the first 10+ weeks, missing just two of L.A.’s first 35 games.
December was his most productive month, as he averaged 28.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.5 blocks, while shooting 54.9% from the field.
He was a beast in the Miami loss, dropping 29 points, 17 boards, six dimes, five blocks, and three steals.
He was impressive in their November game vs. the Grizz, scoring 19 points, with 11 boards, five assists and six blocks.
In last year’s regular season matchups, he went for 30 and 22 boards in a March win, which came after a 28-point, 19-rebound, 5-block gem just over a week earlier.
There aren't a lot of Memphis live bodies that can handle AD, and it’s just a matchup Jaren Jackson Jr. isn’t great with.
We’ll wrap it up with Desmond Bane’s 3-point shooting, which has been solid this season, hitting at a solid 38.3% clip.
But the 3.5 make line is a little high for Friday, as Bane has not crossed that total in his last five games.
More noticeable, though, is that in nine regular season and playoff matchups over the past two years against the Lakers, he hasn’t been able to find the range, hitting four or more three-pointers just once.
This year, he tallied 15 points in that blowout loss, and he went 2-for-6 from distance. He’ll get close to the line, but I expect him to settle in under four triples.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Best NBA bonuses
All Users
25% boost for 3+ leg NBA SGP
e.g. +479 BOOSTS to +598! Claim Now
All Users
50% boost for one NBA bet
e.g. -110 BOOSTS to +136! Claim Now
New Users
33% boost for one 3+ leg NBA SGP
e.g. +479 BOOSTS to +637! Claim Now
Eligible USA locations only. Also, see our full list of best sportsbook promotions for 2024.
21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Grizzlies vs Lakers spread and Over/Under analysis
The spread for Grizzlies vs. Lakers opened as high as 6 points, but quickly dipped under 6, with some books offering the Lakers as -4.5 favorites.
Both teams have struggled against the spread. The Grizzlies are 0-5-0 ATS in their last five, and just 13-21-0 ATS on the season. L.A. is 15-20-0 ATS on the season, and 6-9-0 ATS at Crypto.
The total has stayed steady at around 228 points, with a few books available adding an extra point to the mix.
The Over is just 3-7-0 in Memphis’ last 10 games, with a 13-21-0 O/U record on the season. The only winning record of the bunch is L.A.’s Over mark, and just barely at 18-17-0.
🕒Vermont: Sports betting is coming!🕒
Vermont sports betting will launch on January 11 — but you can pre-register now with FanDuel and DraftLakers!
Check out the best Vermont sports betting apps (as more brands launch in the Green Mountain State), as well as the best Vermont sportsbook promos!
21+ and present in VT. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Grizzlies vs Lakers betting trend to know
L.A. has won three of the last four regular-season matchups. Find more NBA betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Lakers.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.
Grizzlies vs Lakers game info
| Location: | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date: | Friday, January 5, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
Grizzlies vs Lakers latest injuries
Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the 
to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
