Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Betting Preview

This Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies betting preview is courtesy of Sportsbook.com. 

Sportsbook.com using Lakers -5.5 & 204.5

The Lakers look to end their two-game losing streak as they embark on back-to-back road games starting in Memphis Tuesday night. Kobe Bryant combined for 72 points in the past two games against Utah and Indiana, but it wasn’t enough to close out either game. L.A. dominated the first meeting Nov. 2 against Memphis in a 124-105 blowout, shooting 51.2% from the field and 60.9% from behind the arc. Despite shooting a lowly 38.6 FG Pct. against Indiana, defense will be the key for the Lakers, who allowed the Grizzlies to shoot 50% from three-point range earlier this month. Memphis (46.3 FG Pct.) is shooting nearly identical to the Lakers (46.4 FG Pct.) for the season.

Memphis’ three-game win streak came to an end Saturday in a 92-86 loss in Cleveland as the Grizzlies only scored 35 points in the second half. The defense collapsed against Cleveland’s offense and will face an even tougher challenge against the top-scoring Lakers, who are leading the league with 109.5 PPG. Rudy Gay had a game-high 30 points (12-18 FG) against L.A. on Nov. 2 and is shooting 43.5% from the floor in the past five games. Little brother Marc Gasol will have his hands full in the paint against big brother Pau Gasol, who is fourth in the league with 11.9 RPG and averaging 21.5 PPG.

L.A. has thrived on the road with a 5-2 (SU and ATS) record, while Memphis is only 5-4 SU and 4-4-1 ATS in FedExForum. The Lakers are 7-1 SU against the Grizzlies in the past three seasons and an even 4-4 ATS.         

92% of action at Sportsbook.com is backing the Lakers to cover the spread.

Sportsbook.com opened the Lakers -5 & opening total was 204.

Here’s a couple glaring trends that favor the defending champs and the over.

LA LAKERS are 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) after failing to cover 3 of their last 4 against the spread over the last 2 seasons.  The average score was LA LAKERS 101.8, OPPONENT 95.5 - (Rating = 0*).

Despite five of the past seven meetings going Under the total, this game trends to favor the Over

Play Over - Home teams where the total is greater than or equal to 200 (MEMPHIS) - poor defensive team - allowing 99+ points/game on the season against opponent after a close loss by 3 points or less. (94-51 over the last 5 seasons.) (64.8%, +37.9 units. Rating = 2*).