Lakers vs. Grizzlies: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Lakers vs. Grizzlies Odds
| Lakers Odds | +9 |
| Grizzlies Odds | -9 |
| Over/Under | 230.5 |
| Date | Tue, Feb. 28 |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. |
| TV | TNT |
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies will meet at the FedExForum on national television. Entering play, Los Angeles (29-32) owns the fourth-worst record in the Western Conference. Memphis (36-23) currently occupies the 2-seed out west, 5.5 games behind the Denver Nuggets for the top spot in the standings. Oddsmakers are expecting the Grizzlies to take care of business this evening against a Lakers’ team that will be missing LeBron James, pricing Memphis as 9-point home favorites on the spread.
Los Angeles Lakers
James OUT
This past Sunday, LeBron James, who leads the Lakers in scoring, rebound, assists, steals, and blocks per game this season, suffered a right foot injury, which will keep him on the sidelines tonight.
Per Cleaning the Glass, Los Angeles ranks in the 73rd percentile in offensive efficiency and the 69th percentile in defensive efficiency with James on the floor this season, compared to the 15th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 21st percentile in defensive efficiency with him on the sidelines. His absence is a tremendous loss for this group.
Who will step up for the Lakers?
Per CourtIQ, Dennis Schroder (+5.3%) sees the largest increase in usage when both James (injured) and Russell Westbrook (traded) are not on the floor for the Lakers this season. In these situations, Schroder is averaging 21.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per 36 minutes of action.
In Schroder’s last eight games played with James in street clothes, he has scored 25 points or more four times, with three additional games of at least 13 points.
If you are not in a state with legal sports betting, you can target Anthony Davis player props using our No House Advantage promo code in a DFS game.
Memphis Grizzlies
Adams OUT
Steven Adams remains out tonight for the Grizzlies, having last played on January 22. In his absence, Memphis has regressed sharply on the glass – ranking 27th in rebound percentage and 24th in opponent rebounds per game in that span.
As a result of their struggles on the boards, this team has also struggled to consistently find the win column, going 5-8 across their last 13 contests with Adams out of the lineup.
Dominant at home
Ahead of tip-off on Tuesday, Memphis is 25-5 in their home building, which is the second best home record in the entire Western Conference. During Adams’ absence, the Grizzlies are below .500 overall, but they have remained strong at the FedExForum, with five wins in seven trips to the hardwood.
In that stretch, the Grizzlies have wins against the Nuggets, Jazz, Timberwolves, Bulls, and Pacers. Their two home losses have come against the Trail Blazers and Raptors.
Lakers vs. Grizzlies – Picks & Predictions
Per StatMuse, the Lakers are averaging six fewer points per game, five fewer assists, and are shooting less well from both inside-the-arc and beyond-the-arc when LeBron James is off of the floor this year, compared to when he is on the floor. Tonight, they have to travel to play a Memphis team that ranks third in the NBA in defensive efficiency in seven home games without Steven Adams in the lineup this year. Expect James’ absence to be enough to keep this game under the current market total – take the under.
PICK: Under 230.5 (-110, FanDuel)
Image Credit: Getty Images