The Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies take the floor for a Western Conference tilt on Thursday. The Lakers are 13-12 this season after three wins in the last four games. Memphis is 14-11 following a loss to Dallas on Wednesday. LeBron James (abdominal) and Anthony Davis (thumb) are listed as probable for the Lakers, with Trevor Ariza (ankle) and Kendrick Nunn (knee) ruled out. Though the Grizzlies are on the second night of a back-to-back, Ja Morant (knee/protocols), Brandon Clarke (knee) and Kyle Anderson (back) missed Wednesday’s game for Memphis.
Tipoff is at 8 p.m. ET in Memphis. Caesars Sportsbook lists Los Angeles as the 3.5-point road favorite, while the over-under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 222.5 in the latest Lakers vs. Grizzlies odds. Before locking in any Grizzlies vs. Lakers picks, be sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters Week 8 of the 2021-22 NBA season up almost $2,000 on all top-rated NBA picks this season. It’s also on a stunning 121-78 roll on top-rated NBA picks against the spread that dates back to last season. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Lakers vs. Grizzlies and just locked in its NBA picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Grizzlies vs. Lakers:
- Lakers vs. Grizzlies spread: Lakers -3.5
- Lakers vs. Grizzlies over-under: 222.5 points
- Lakers vs. Grizzlies money line: Lakers -170, Grizzlies +145
- LAL: The Lakers are 4-5 against the spread in the last nine road games
- MEM: The Grizzlies are 5-1 against the spread in the last six games
Featured Game | Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Why the Lakers can cover
Los Angeles is in an advantageous spot on the offensive end against Memphis. The Lakers are in the top seven of the NBA in both field-goal percentage (46.5 percent) and 2-point percentage (53.5 percent), with the No. 3 mark in the NBA in free-throw attempts (21.7 per game). Memphis is No. 25 in the league in shooting efficiency allowed, paving the way to positive shot quality for the visitors in this matchup.
Los Angeles is also in the top eight of the league in assists (24.5 per game), fast-break points (15.3 per game) and points in the paint (48.3 per game), with the Grizzlies near the bottom of the NBA in defensive rating this season. On the opposite side, Los Angeles is forcing 15.8 turnovers per game, a top-six figure in the league, and the Lakers are producing 8.5 steals and 5.8 blocked shots per contest. Memphis is a bottom-10 team in free-throw creation on offense, and Los Angeles can keep the Grizzlies away from the charity stripe.
Why the Grizzlies can cover
Memphis has a few clear edges against Los Angeles on Thursday. The Grizzlies are elite on the offensive glass, securing more than 32 percent of available offensive rebounds. Memphis is also a top-five team in assists (25.4 per game), and the Grizzlies are firmly in the top 10 in the NBA in offensive rating, scoring more than 1.1 points per possession. Los Angeles is No. 29 in the NBA in free-throw prevention and No. 28 in assists allowed on defense.
When changing ends, Memphis is tremendous in creating havoc, leading the NBA in steals (10.0 per game) and blocks (6.2 per game) through 25 games. The Grizzlies are also above-average in keeping opponents away from the free-throw line, and the Lakers are No. 27 in the NBA in free-throw accuracy and just No. 28 in the NBA in turnover prevention on offense.
How to make Grizzlies vs. Lakers picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning under on the total, with the teams projected to combine for 211 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 50 percent of simulations. You can only see the model’s pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Lakers vs. Grizzlies? And which side of the spread hits in over 50 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
