Crypto.com Arena takes center stage in the 2023 NBA playoffs on Saturday evening. The Los Angeles Lakers host the Memphis Grizzlies in the final game of a playoff quadruple header across the league. The Grizzlies won Game 2 by a 103-93 margin, evening the best-of-seven series at 1-1. Ja Morant (hand) is listed as questionable for Memphis.
Los Angeles is a 5.5-point home favorite at Caesars Sportsbook for this 10 p.m. ET start. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 221 in the latest Lakers vs. Grizzlies odds. Before making any Grizzlies vs. Lakers picks, you need to see the NBA playoff predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters the second week of the 2023 NBA playoffs a stunning 71-37 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $3,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Lakers vs. Grizzlies and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Grizzlies vs. Lakers:
- Lakers vs. Grizzlies spread: Lakers -5.5
- Lakers vs. Grizzlies over/under: 221 points
- Lakers vs. Grizzlies money line: Lakers -225, Grizzlies +185
- LAL: The Lakers are 21-18-3 against the spread in home games
- MEM: The Grizzlies are 14-25-2 against the spread in road games
- Lakers vs. Grizzlies picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Grizzlies can cover
Memphis has two-way strengths that should translate despite injury concerns. The Grizzlies led the NBA in points in the paint (58.4 per game) on offense this season. Memphis also posted top-six marks in fast break points (18.0 per game), second-chance points (15.3 per game) and offensive rebound rate (30.2%) while averaging 26.0 assists per game. The Grizzlies also take care of the ball, committing only 13.6 turnovers per game in 2022-23, and Los Angeles was No. 27 in the regular season in creating only 12.6 takeaways per contest.
On defense, Memphis held Los Angeles to fewer than 0.98 points per possession in Game 2, with the Lakers struggling to a 49.3% true shooting percentage in the game. The Grizzlies are also excellent on defense over a large sample, producing top-five metrics in defensive efficiency, opponent shooting, points allowed in the paint, steals per game and blocks per game this season. See which side to back at SportsLine.
Why the Lakers can cover
The Lakers are impressing on defense in recent days. Los Angeles is allowing only 1.09 points per possession in the series, and the Lakers gave up only 1.11 points per possession after the All-Star break. The Lakers also led the league in free throw prevention this season, yielding only 20.8 attempts per game, and that dips to 18.5 free throw attempts allowed per game to Memphis.
The Grizzlies are also poor in converting free throws, ranking last in the NBA at 73.3% from the line this season, and Los Angeles was No. 2 in the league in 3-point percentage allowed (34.4%). The Lakers have a tremendous defensive anchor in Anthony Davis, and Los Angeles posted top-10 marks in field goal percentage allowed (46.9%) and defensive rebound rate (72.3%) during the 2022-23 season. See which side to back at SportsLine.
How to make Grizzlies vs. Lakers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 226 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations. You can see the model's picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Lakers vs. Grizzlies? And which side of the spread hits over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is 71-37 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
