NBA Playoffs: The Lakers And Grizzlies Face-Off In Critical Series
The Lakers (7) and the Grizzlies (2) will meet for the first time in the playoffs between the two franchises.
This serious is a critical first-round seven-game series that could go either way. Even though the Grizzlies have the better record, the Lakers should be kept from being slept on in the playoffs due to their experience.
The Lakers won the season series two games to one against the Grizzlies. However, results in the regular season defeat the purpose because teams usually play to a higher standard in the playoffs.
The Grizzlies and Lakers showdown
The two teams will show off Sunday, April 16th in Memphis which will be a great game given the fact that the two teams are new rivals.
With Ja Morant at the forefront, Memphis tends to talk, but they can back it up with their elite style of play. However, their taunting doesn’t sit well with Lebron and his teammates.
After the Lakers Championship wins in the bubble, the team has been dwindling. At the same time, the Grizzlies’ rise toward prominence sets them up to be a genuine title contender.
The beef was already heating up when Desmond Bane and LeBron went back in forth in January of 2022. Bane decided to nudge Lebron, which didn’t sit well with him.
The Grizzlies Are Unhinged Yet Poised
In January of 2023, Memphis’s tendencies to trash talk reached NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe (who is one of Lebron’s biggest fans). A back-and-forth scuffle between Brooks and Sharpe escalated, as most of the Grizzlies roster was involved, including Ja’s father, Tee.
Brooks proceeded to call Sharpe a “blogger,” which is disrespectful. But he wanted to talk about talking more about LeBron. Brooks had his sights on stopping the King and wanted to play physically with the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Dillon Brooks on "blogger" Shannon Sharpe: "A regular pedestrian like him? He shouldn’t have ever came back in the game. But it’s L.A.” LeBron: "I ride with Shannon 365 days, 366 on a leap year, 24/7. That’s my guy. I always got his back & he's got mine."pic.twitter.com/4ICVoKC6XJ — Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 21, 2023
Since playing the King in 2017, Brook has gone head-to-head with James 11 times. James averaged 25.2 points in those matchups on 52.2 percent shooting, leading his team to a 9-2 record over the Grizzlies when both players were active.
In their last three matchups, the Lakers won two out of three games in their short series.
There are a lot of differences between the two teams. Memphis is much younger and more athletic than Los Angeles, but when you look at the Lakers have a better duo between the King (Lebron) himself and Anthony Davis.
The Lakers have two of the top 10 scorers in NBA history. Anthony Davis averages 27 a game, and LeBron averages 28.7 ppg. If the Lakers want to win the series, A.D. must be dominant on the boards.
It’s essential to monitor Anthony Davis’s injury history, he’s dealing with a foot injury, but he can play. Against Memphis, the eight-time All-Star averages 22.7 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks in 35 games against the Grizzlies.
Although the Lakers have a better duo, it’s hard to stop Ja Morant when he’s in his zone. Morant averages 26.2 ppg (11th), but he’s dealing with a hand issue. Ja averages 26.6 points, 7.2 assists, and 4.6 rebounds in his ten games against L.A.
Dark Horses In The Series
LAL’s Dennis Schroder has a little Patrick Beverley in him when he guards. He can also come alive in the fourth quarter, which he showcased during their comeback victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Memphis’s Desmond Bane is a great 3-point shooter. In the 2021-22 season, he had the highest percentage from the three-point line (43.6). Although his average went down (.408), he can still make it rain from three, averaging 2.5 three’s a game.
Jaren Jackson Jr is another player the Lakers will have to watch out for. The 23-year-old averaged 38 points in his last two games. If he can stay hot, it will be hard for the Lakers to slow him down.
Who Will Win The Series?
The Memphis Grizzlies are playing without Steven Adams. Given that he’s not playing, the size of Anthony Davis could be too much for this young Grizzlies team. However, it takes a lot of work to cut the Grizzlies out. The team has played long enough without Adams to form an identity.
The Grizzlies will have to take advantage of the versatile skills of their players, and if they can, the Lakers will have issues. But the Lakers are a veteran team that knows how to get the job done, and they have enough to win in this matchup.
The Lakers will win the series in seven (4 LAL – 3 MEM).
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