Los Angeles Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies 4/16/2023 Expert Picks, Previews and Analysis
West 1st Round – Game 1, Series starts 4/16
The Memphis Grizzlies will host the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round best-of-seven series on Sunday. The Lakers secured the seventh seed in the Western Conference by defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-102 in overtime on Tuesday in their play-in game. With three straight wins and seven wins in their last eight games, the Lakers are entering the playoffs on a high note.
Leading the way for the Lakers is none other than LeBron James, who is currently averaging 28.9 points and 6.8 assists per game. Anthony Davis is their second leading scorer and the leading rebounder, with averages of 25.9 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. Additionally, the Lakers have seven players who average double figures in scoring, and as a team, they are scoring an average of 117.2 points per game.
- The Los Angeles Lakers are 2-4 SU in their last 6 meetings with the Grizzlies.
- The total went OVER in 5 of the LA Lakers’ last 5 games on the road.
- The total stayed UNDER in 10 of the Lakers’ last 10 games on the road against Memphis.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies 4/16/2023 Expert Picks, Previews and Analysis
On the other side of the court, the Memphis Grizzlies completed their regular season with a record of 51-31, winning the Southwest Division and finishing second to Denver in the Western Conference. They ended their regular season with a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but this was because they had already secured second place and didn’t need to play their starters for as long.
The Grizzlies are led by Ja Morant, who averages 26.2 points and 8.1 assists per game, and Jaren Jackson Jr, who is their leading rebounder with an average of 6.8 rebounds per game. Desmond Bane is their second leading scorer with an average of 21.5 points per game, and the team as a whole scores an average of 116.9 points per game. With both teams having a strong offense, this first-round matchup promises to be an exciting and high-scoring series.
- The total stayed UNDER in 5 of Memphis’ last 6 clashes with the LA Lakers.
- The Memphis Grizzlies are 14-1 SU in their last 15 games at home.
- The total remained UNDER in 10 of Memphis’ last 10 games at home against the Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies. The NBA pick is the Memphis Grizzlies. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies are very close on offense with less than a half-point difference between their season averages; but the big difference is on defense. Memphis is 11th in the NBA in points allowed at 113.0 ppg and holds opponents to the lowest field goal shooting percentage in the NBA at 45.3%. In contrast, Los Angeles is 20th in the NBA in points allowed at 116.6 points per game. Prediction, Memphis Grizzlies win and cover ATS 121-111.
NBA Starting Time: 3:00 PM ET
Location: Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA
Date: Sunday, April 16, 2023
TV: ABC
NBA Odds: Memphis Grizzlies -4
NBA Totals: 227.5
