Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Predictions, Odds, Picks

Dec. 29, 2021
Michael Crosson
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Nationally televised NBA coverage will resume on Wednesday night with a compelling Western Conference matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies. Coverage begins from FedExForum at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBA TV.

Score Prediction

Grizzlies 113, Lakers 105

Best Bets

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Predictions

After finishing eighth in the West with a record of 38-34 SU last year, Memphis kept that same ball rolling with a similarly pedestrian start to this season, as the Grizzlies opened with a lackluster 9-10 SU and 10-9 ATS run – which included frustrating losses to the Wizards, Hornets, Pelicans, and Raptors.

The Grizzlies have cleaned things up dramatically since their mediocre start though, considering Memphis sits at 12-4 SU and 11-5 ATS across the last 16 games – with eight of those victories coming by 10+ PTS.

On the other hand, Los Angeles stumbled out to a disappointing start following the groundbreaking acquisition of Russell Westbrook, as the Lakers kicked things off with an underwhelming 8-9 SU and 6-11 ATS skid – despite being favored in over half of those matchups (10).

Los Angeles has maintained that same unsettling pace all the way through December too, as the Lakers are just 9-9 SU and 10-7-1 ATS across the last 18 games – but the oddsmakers still won’t give up on them, considering L. A. was favored in 12 of those affairs.

I’ll lay the points with Memphis here, as the Lakers are just 1-5 SU and 2-4 ATS since the latest injury to Anthony Davis, while averaging just 103.4 PPG across that window – and despite a crowded injury report, the Grizzlies have still played well as of late, sitting at 7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS across their last ten games, while averaging 112.8 PPG across that span.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzliest Betting Odds

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Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Betting Resources

  • Matchup: Pacific vs. Southwest
  • Date: Wednesday, December 29, 2021
  • Venue: FedExForum
  • Location: Memphis, Tennessee
  • TV-Time: NBATV - 8:00 p.m. ET

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU:
  • ATS:
  • O/U:

Regardless of the circumstances, hovering below .500 is still considered a massive disappointment for this new-look Lakers’ squad, but to be fair, they’ve been banged up from the start, so it’s tough to write them off completely, considering LeBron James has participated in just 23 games so far this season – while Anthony Davis has participated in 27, but AD is slated to miss at least another month with an MCL sprain.

Despite their downfalls, the Lakers tread at ninth in the West with a record of 16-18, which positions them well within striking distance of the Nuggets (16-16), Mavericks (16-17), and Timberwolves (16-17) – so there will be plenty of opportunities for L. A. to get back in the mix and avoid the Play-In Tournament, they just need to get healthy first.

Memphis Grizzlies Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 21-14
  • ATS: 21-14
  • O/U: 19-16

After stumbling out to a surprisingly slow start to the season (9-10 SU, 10-9 ATS), Memphis somewhat escaped the league’s radar for a little while, as the Grizzlies ended up getting tagged as underdogs in seven-of-ten matchups around the calendar turn from November to December.

The Grizzlies quickly turned things around following their slow start though, considering Memphis boasts sturdy records of 12-4 SU and 11-5 ATS across the last 16 games – despite getting tagged as underdogs in half of those affairs (8).


(AP)

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Head-to-Head

The Lakers and Grizzlies split their first two meetings of the season 1-1 SU, with each team claiming a win on its respective home floor. The first event resulted in a victory for Memphis and soared over the total with a score of 121-118, while the second resulted in a win for L. A. and stayed well under at a score of 108-95.

Key Players to Watch

  • LAL: LeBron James - SF (27.4 PPG, 6.8 REB, 6.5 AST)
  • LAL: Russell Westbrook - PG (19.6 PPG, 7.9 REB, 8.1 AST)
  • MEM: Ja Morant - PG (23.7 PPG, 5.5 REB, 6.8 AST)
  • MEM: Desmond Bane - SF (17.2 PPG, 4.3 REB, 2.2 AST)

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Betting Conclusion

After posting back-to-back tough road victories over the Kings and Suns, the Grizzlies enter Wednesday night’s contest as narrow home favorites over the visiting Lakers – marking the third time L. A. has been an underdog across the last six games.

I’ll lay the points with Memphis here, as the Lakers have lost five of the last six games, with their only victory across that timeframe coming against a 10-25 SU Rockets’ squad – while the Grizzlies have won seven of their last ten, which already includes a double-digit home victory over L. A. (108-95).

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Betting Trends

  • TBD