The Los Angeles Lakers will try to stay hot on Friday when they take on the Memphis Grizzlies at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. After dropping back-to-back games at Philadelphia and Detroit at the end of January, the Lakers (20-6) have reeled off six straight wins over Boston, Atlanta, Denver, Detroit and Oklahoma City (twice). Despite the winning streak, Los Angeles has picked up just a half game on the Western Conference-leading Jazz. Meanwhile the Grizzlies (10-10) are coming off a 130-114 win over Charlotte on Wednesday. Anthony Davis (Achilles) is listed as questionable for the Lakers.
Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET. William Hill Sportsbook lists Los Angeles as a seven-point favorite, down half a point from the opening line. The over-under, or total number of points William Hill thinks will be scored, is 219.5 in the latest Lakers vs. Grizzlies odds. Before finalizing any Grizzlies vs. Lakers picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, and it returned over $5,000 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks last season. The model is also up more than $8,300 on top-rated NBA picks over the past two-plus seasons. Dating back to last season, it enters Week 8 of the 2020-21 NBA schedule on a stunning 79-46 roll on top-rated NBA picks against the spread. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Lakers vs. Grizzlies. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Lakers:
- Lakers vs. Grizzlies spread: Los Angeles -7
- Lakers vs. Grizzlies over-under: 219.5 points
- Lakers vs. Grizzlies money line: Los Angeles -280, Memphis +240
- LAL: The team leads the NBA in defensive efficiency (104.5 points per 100 possessions)
- MEM: The Grizzlies lead the league in assists per game (28.4)
Why the Lakers can cover
L.A's No. 1-ranked defense has been even better during the winning streak. Before going on their run, the Lakers allowed 105.0 points per 100 possessions, which led the league. But since Jan. 30, their efficiency on defense has improved to 102.9, which is almost three points better than the next best team, Miami (105.5).
In addition, Los Angeles will be facing a Memphis team that will not be at full strength. The Grizzlies will play without talented rookie Desmond Bane (personal reasons), who started the last two games and is averaging 10.3 points a game and ranks fifth in the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage (48.2). Memphis already had been playing without Brandon Clarke (shoulder) and De'Anthony Melton (shoulder), Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) and others because of injuries.
Why the Grizzlies can cover
Memphis is arguably the best team in the league at sharing the basketball. Led by Ja Morant, who averages a team-high 7.7 assists, the Grizzlies lead the NBA in assists per game (28.4). They also earn assists on 66.9 percent of their buckets, which is the second-highest percentage in the NBA.
In addition, Memphis faces a Los Angeles team that has been pushed beyond the limit in its last three games, going into double overtime against Detroit and into overtime in back-to-back contests against Oklahoma City. The Lakers hadn't played three straight overtime games since 1991. The overtime stretch forced James to play at least 40 minutes in three consecutive games for the first time in four years.
How to make Grizzlies vs. Lakers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning under on the total, with the simulations projecting 218 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can get that pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Grizzlies vs. Lakers? And which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks.
