The Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies game will occur on Sunday, December 15th, 2024, at 9:30 PM ET, at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers are in free fall, losing seven of their last ten games and sliding from a top-five spot in the West to a shaky 10th place with a 13-12 record. Their latest misstep was a frustrating 87-97 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, which just adds to their troubles. Things aren’t looking great in Lakerland right now.
On the other hand, the Grizzlies are rolling. Sitting comfortably in second place in the Western Conference with a stellar 18-8 record, they’re on a four-game tear. Their most recent win was a commanding 135-119 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. The two teams have met twice this season, splitting the series. The Grizzlies took the first game on November 6 with a 131-114 win, but the Lakers bounced back a week later, defeating them 128-123. Historically, the Lakers have dominated this showdown with 67 wins in 108 regular-season games, but right now, they have a lot of catching up.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Prediction
The Lakers are not having the best time on both ends of the floor this season. They’re averaging 111.1 points per game, ranking 19th in the league, but are giving up 115 points per contest, placing them 21st defensively. Their rebounding struggles are evident as they rank near the bottom of the league with just 40.8 boards per game, while opponents grab 44.5 rebounds against them. From beyond the arc, the Lakers are making 11.6 threes per game (24th in the NBA) at a 34.9% clip, below the league average.
The Grizzlies, on the other hand, are firing on all cylinders. They lead the league in scoring with 122.6 points per game while allowing 113.6, ranking 18th defensively. Their dominance on the glass is clear, as they rank third with 47.7 rebounds per game. From deep, Memphis is knocking down 13.4 threes per game on 35.9% shooting, placing them in the middle of the pack in both categories. They’ve been even hotter over their last ten games, averaging 128.5 points and 15.1 threes per contest.
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Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Probable Starting Lineups
Here are the expected lineups for both teams.
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Los Angeles Lakers
PG Austin Reaves
SG Dalton Knecht
SF Rui Hachimura
PF Cam Reddish
C Anthony Davis
Memphis Grizzlies
PG Ja Morant
SG Desmond Bane
SF Jaylen Wells
PF Jaren Jackson Jr.
C Brandon Clarke
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Injuries Update
The Lakers are dealing with a long list of injuries heading into their game against the Grizzlies. Christian Wood, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Jaxson Hayes are all ruled out with knee and ankle issues, leaving their frontcourt depth thin. LeBron James is listed as questionable with a foot injury, while rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino is also doubtful due to a hamstring strain. Their availability could be pivotal for the team’s chances.
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, have a much shorter injury report. Gregory Jackson and Vince Williams are both sidelined with foot and ankle injuries. Big man Zach Edey is listed as questionable due to an ankle issue, which could impact Memphis’s interior presence. While their injuries are fewer, the Grizzlies will still need to manage their rotation carefully.
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