A few years from now, we may look back on the 2024 Memphis Grizzlies as a starting point. In this lost season, they have continued to compete and found a few rotation pieces for the future because of that on-court charge.
That resistance to tanking should shine tonight, despite the NBA odds, with a chance to catch the Los Angeles Lakers in a letdown moment, coming off a double-overtime win last night and possibly getting LeBron James back in the lineup tonight. The Lakers are settling into the No. 9 spot out West, and on some level they should both know that and ease into it.
With one team continuing to care and the other having reason to relax, the value should be obvious in our free NBA picks and predictions as we preview the Lakers vs. Grizzlies on Wednesday, March 27, with tip set for 8:00 ET.
Lakers vs Grizzlies predictions
LeBron James did not play in Los Angeles’s 128-124 double-overtime win at Milwaukee last night, so any emphasis on Lakers’ fatigue does not apply to him. But both Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell played more than 50 minutes, Austin Reaves went for 47:35, Spencer Dinwiddie played more than 42 minutes, and Rui Hachimura approached 39.
They are going to be worn out tonight, understandably and deservedly so. For a short rotation in the first place, that could become a greater problem.
Adding LeBron back to that rotation will help, and his inclusion in player props at multiple sportsbooks hints he's playing. But is there anyone more likely to conserve energy if given the chance against an inferior opponent? LeBron did not find these still absurd heights at age 39 by going all-out when he does not need to.
As the Lakers distance themselves from the No. 10 spot in the West while not making enough progress on the No. 8 spot, still two games back with just 10 to play, then it is doubly time for LeBron to protect his ankle and Los Angeles as a whole to avoid efforts like last night’s.
Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies have only reason to pour in the effort. Credit to the Grizzlies’ organization for keeping the team engaged through this lost season. With Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane continuing to play — Bane coming back from injury less than two weeks ago — the competitive factor has remained viable with Memphis all season.
And when something is dictated by Jackson and Bane, it obviously shows up defensively. Since March 1, the Grizzlies have ranked No. 19 in the NBA in defensive rating, far from great but still decent, unlike their offense (No. 27).
That level of competence should be enough to keep the Lakers in check tonight, given exactly how worn out Los Angeles is.
My best bet: Lakers team total Under 113.5 (-103 at Pinnacle)
Lakers vs Grizzlies same-game parlay
Lakers team total Under 113.5
Grizzlies +4
Anthony Davis Under 23.5 points
The Lakers have gone just 3-9 against the spread on the second nights of back-to-backs this season. One could read that and criticize the NBA for scheduling a full third of Los Angeles’s games as pieces of back-to-backs. One could also read that and see the limits of a short and aging rotation.
The saving grace has been that so many of those second nights have been against woeful competition. Anthony Davis hung 40 on the Wizards in such a moment on Feb. 29, less than a week after putting up 28 against the Spurs.
The Grizzlies may be among the Wizards and the Spurs in the standings, but they are a better team. Led by Jackson, that defense has enough verve to it that Davis should be slowed, as he was against the Pelicans in two matchups on back-to-backs, scoring just 20 in each of those.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Lakers vs Grizzlies odds and trends
Lakers vs Grizzlies opening odds
- Spread: Los Angeles -6 | Memphis +6
- Moneyline: Los Angeles -167 | Memphis +150
- Over/Under: Over 218 | Under 218
Lakers vs Grizzlies spread and Over/Under analysis
- This spread opened as high as -6 shortly after the Lakers slipped by the Bucks, but those two overtimes gave logic to steaming it down to -3.5 by Wednesday morning, then jumping back to -4 or -4.5 before the lunch hour, depending on your sportsbook.
- The total rose as that spread fell, opening at 218 and climbing to 223. Consider that a bet that Los Angeles will focus its effort on the offensive side, overlooking the depths of Memphis’s offensive struggles.
- The Lakers are 1-5 against the spread in their last six games as favorites of only one bucket.
Lakers vs Grizzlies betting trend to know
Los Angeles is 1-5 outright in its last six games as a favorite of only one bucket. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Grizzlies.
Lakers vs Grizzlies game info
| Location: | FedExForum, Memphis, TN |
| Date: | Wednesday, March 27, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sports SE-MEM, Spectrum SportsNet |
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