Game: Memphis Grizzlies @ Los Angeles Lakers
Time: 10:30 p.m.
Odds: Grizzlies +4.5, Lakers -4.5
Total: 218.5
The Los Angeles Lakers will have a chance to win the series tonight on their home court after failing to do so in Game 5. This season, they have faced the Memphis Grizzlies 4 times at home, and they have won all four games. That includes Games 3 and 4 of this playoff series. The Lakers won 111-101 and 117-111 to take a 3-1 lead in the series. Memphis tightened up the defense and beat the Lakers 116-99 at home in Game 5.
Both teams are still relatively injury-free, with Luke Kennard representing the biggest change from Game 5. Due to a shoulder injury, the Memphis guard’s participation is uncertain. He could be overlooked here given that he is one of the main perimeter threats for the visitors and has made 50% of his 3-point attempts in the series.
LeBron James had a difficult time in Game 5, scoring only 15 points. Expect him to rebound and play well in front of the home crowd with a chance to end the series. James thrives in these types of games. Since 2012, James is 12-5 in elimination games and has averages of 35.2 points. 11.4 rebounds, and 7.5 assists.
In Game 5, Grizzlies C Xavier Tillman occasionally picked him up on defense. If this happens again, be on the lookout for James to take advantage of this and take Tillman into the paint. Anthony Davis should be in a good position to assist in slowing down Ja Morant on the other end. This series, the Lakers center has averaged 4.2 blocks per game and ought to be able to slow the fast-break guard inside tonight.
The Grizzlies have the lowest true shooting percentage in this postseason. Couple that with the team’s 12th-ranked rebounding percentage, and they may have trouble recovering from missed shots. The fact that the Lakers outscore the Grizzlies in second chance points scored per game could help them cover the spread in this game. The Lakers are 3-2 ATS in the series. LA has won five straight at home and has won 10 of its last 14 games overall.
So far, neither team has scored a lot in this series. The teams went Over 219 in just twice – Game 1 and Game 4 – of the series so far. The last three games of the series have averaged 218.3 points per game. Tonight should be another defensive battle as Memphis will have its back to the wall. The last 20 times these two teams have played each other, the Under has cashed fifteen times.
This postseason, both teams have had trouble shooting from long range. Their respective shooting percentages are only 30.1% and 31.1%. Among all playoff teams, that places them at 13th and 14th. James has shot just 16.7 percent from three-point range. As a result, the Under has hit in four of the last six Lakers games.
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