Lakers vs. Grizzlies series prediction and odds (Does LeBron get it done?)

The Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James have really turned their season around, going from out of the playoff picture just a few months ago to the No. 7 seed in the West after winning in the play-in tournament on Tuesday night.

Now, the Lakers will take on Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs. Memphis was the No. 2 seed in the West last season, but it ended up losing to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals.

The Lakers’ season long numbers aren’t great, but the team was fourth in the NBA in defensive rating and sixth in net rating after the All-Star break. Los Angeles also won 13 of its final 18 games to secure the No. 7 spot in the West.

Memphis weathered the storm of Morant’s midseason suspension, and the team thrived down the stretch of the 2022-23 campaign, ranking in the top-10 in the league in net rating.

The battle between Defensive Player of the Year candidate Jaren Jackson Jr. and Anthony Davis should be a great matchup to watch, and oddsmakers expect this series to be close with the latest odds:

Lakers vs. Grizzlies series odds

NBA • 2022-23 Futures

LAL vs MEM Series Betting

Odds updated April 12th, 2023, at 5:07 pm

Lakers vs. Grizzlies correct score (Exact outcome odds)

NBA • 2022-23 Futures

LAL vs MEM Correct Score

Memphis Grizzlies 4-3

Los Angeles Lakers 4-2

Memphis Grizzlies 4-1

Memphis Grizzlies 4-2

Los Angeles Lakers 4-3

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Odds updated April 12th, 2023, at 5:07 pm

Lakers vs. Grizzlies series prediction and pick

The Lakers have come a long way this season, partially because of their moves at the trade deadline, and I think they are poised to win this series.

Maybe I’m putting too much stock into LeBron in the playoffs, but can you blame me?

Memphis is largely inexperienced despite last year’s mini playoff run, and the Lakers have really turned things around defensively, a huge key against this Grizzlies team.

This season, Memphis ranks just 21st in the NBA in effective field goal percentage, something you wouldn’t expect from a team that is 11th in offensive rating.

The Grizzlies thrive off of fast break opportunities, ranking second in the league in fast break points per game. That could be an issue against the Lakers, who don’t turn the ball over much (11th in turnover percentage).

Outside of Desmond Bane and Luke Kennard, I’m not sold on the 3-point shooting for the Grizzlies, and I think Jackson’s penchant for getting in foul trouble could crush the team in this series with Steven Adams out.

James and Davis are going to be relentless at attacking the rim, and Austin Reaves has drawn a ton of fouls in the second half of the season as well.

Ultimately, I think a healthy James and Davis win at least one series in this Western Conference. I think Memphis makes it close, but the Lakers win a decisive Game 7 because, well, they have LeBron James.

Peter Dewey

BetSided