Lakers vs Grizzlies Odds, Picks and Predictions

• The Lakers and Grizzlies matchup in Memphis on December, 29th
• Los Angeles is on the second night of a back-to-back after beating the Rockets on Tuesday
• Read below for the latest odds, betting preview and a pick

The 17-18 Los Angeles Lakers are on the road against the 21-14 Memphis Grizzlies on December 29th. Heading into the season, it was widely projected that the records would be flipped with Los Angeles pushing for a top seed and Memphis sitting around .500. Instead, the young Grizz have exceeded expectations, while the Lakers have disappointed to an alarming degree.

Memphis owns the same record against the spread as it does straight up. They are 4.5-point favorites for the visit of the Lakers, who own the second-worst ATS record on the season.

Lakers vs Grizzlies Odds

Odds as of Dec 29 at FanDuel

Memphis’ Superior Depth

Both teams are missing a raft of rotation players. Anthony Davis is out long-term. Kendrick Nunn still isn’t ready. Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore, Austin Reaves, Wayne Ellington and Rajon Rondo missed the Lakers’ Tuesday win over Houston.

Dillon Brooks, Ziaire Williams, John Konchar, De’Anthony Melton and Jarrett Culver are in protocols for the Grizz. Sam Merrill has been sidelined for a couple of weeks.

LEBRON. ‘NIGHT. pic.twitter.com/xt0dennCww

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) December 29, 2021

Where the Lakers are scrambling to fill out their roster, Memphis has depth to call on. Taylor Jenkins is using Killian Tillie off the bench, and they can always rely on solid play from Kyle Anderson and Tyus Jones. Xavier Tillman and Brandon Clarke provide frontcourt options who can play instead of or with Jaren Jackson Jr.

LeBron at the Five

LeBron James started at the five against the Rockets. It’s a role he’s played frequently of late as Frank Vogel has wrestled with his rotations to balance offense and defense. James started the second half at center on Boxing Day, but this start was a first for the Lakers. Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan got DNP’d, with Carmelo Anthony and Stanley Johnson filling the rest of the frontcourt minutes.

Going ultra-small is the best way to play with Russell Westbrook. The offense looks more functional. James and Westbrook see their offensive ratings jump significantly when neither Howard or Jordan are on the court. LeBron has a 65% true shooting without either of the traditional centers, a mark that hovers around 60% with either of them on the court.

LeBron James now leads the NBA in 30-point games, despite only playing 23 games this year.

He turns 37 on Thursday.

— nick wright (@getnickwright) December 29, 2021

The downsides are clear on the defensive end. Even the Rockets frontcourt duo of Christian Wood and Alperen Sengun took advantage of their superior size. Vogel has a difficult balance to strike against Memphis. Steven Adams is the league leader in offensive rebounding rate – he’ll be a menace on the boards against small Lakers lineups. The lack of a rim protector makes life easier for Ja Morant, too. How many minutes does Vogel play without a center?

Containing Morant

While the size of Adams and – to a lesser extent – Jackson Jr will pose problems if the Lakers go small, their perimeter defense hasn’t exactly been lock tight. Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr combined for 46 points on 33 shots on Tuesday. James Harden and Patty Mills dropped a combined 70 on just over 40 shots.

Morant is coming off a 33-point outing (featuring a game-winner) against the Suns. He made Phoenix pay for Deandre Ayton’s absence, which should be a warning sign for Vogel. Desmond Bane is one of the best three-point shooters in the league, hitting over 42% of his deep shots.

Take the Grizz

Memphis is a difficult matchup for the Lakers. Their combination of perimeter talent and size leaves Vogel with a dilemma. Smallball is vulnerable, but the Lakers’ offense stagnates with a traditional center on the court. This is a game where Davis’ injury hits them hard.

It’s a third game in four days for Memphis, but this a young roster. The Lakers, in contrast, are relying on big minutes from players deep into their thirties. They are on the second night of a back-to-back, and they have gone 1-2 in such games this season.

The Grizz own a 6-4 record ATS with a rest advantage this season. Take them to cover the spread at 4.5 – the Lakers have lost five of their last six by at least five points.

• Pick: Grizzlies -4.5