The Memphis Grizzlies (31-13 SU, 22-20-2 ATS) are 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS in their last three games against the Los Angeles Lakers (20-25, 20-23-2). The Grizzlies will look to extend their winning streak against the Lakers with another victory Friday night in Hollywood.
The UNDER is 12-3 in the last 15 games between the Lakers and Grizzlies, though their most recent meeting went OVER the posted total of 230 points in a 127-119 Grizzlies win on the road. The OVER is 7-0-1 in Memphis’ last eight games, which have all been Grizzlies wins during the team’s current 11-0 SU winning streak.
Latest Betting Notes: Grizzlies
Steven Adams tipped in the rebound of a Ja Morant shot with 16.1 seconds remaining on the clock Wednesday night to give the Grizzlies a 115-114 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Morant finished the game with 24 points and eight assists, falling one point shy of Desmond Bane’s team-leading 25 points.
Memphis improved to 11-0 SU since December 29 with the win, but fell to 2-4 ATS over its last six games by failing to cover the spread as a 7.5-point favorite at home. Prior to being limited to 115 points against the Cavs, the Grizzlies had scored at least 121 points in their previous seven games, averaging 128.4 points over that stretch.
Latest Betting Notes: Lakers
The Lakers failed to get the job done at home as 2.5-point favorites in a 116-111 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. LeBron James had another impressive performance on offense in the loss with 32 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. James is officially listed as questionable to play against the Grizzlies with a sore ankle, but he is expected to play through the nagging injury.
It appeared as though the Lakers might have turned a corner when they opened 2023 on a 5-0 SU and ATS run. That hot streak has fizzled out, however, with Los Angeles now 1-4 SU and 2-2-1 ATS over its last five games.
Grizzlies Player Prop: Desmond Bane OVER 21.5 Points (-113)
Desmond Bane was averaging 24.6 points before missing six weeks due to a toe injury. It took a few weeks for Bane to round back into top form, but he has done so this month. The 24-year-old is averaging 22 points per game in January and has scored 25 or more in each of his last three games.
Bane scored 23 points in Memphis’ 127-119 win over the Lakers last January. Considering his recent form and his important role in this red-hot offense, there are plenty of reasons to expect him to score 22 points or more on Friday night.
Lakers Player Prop: LeBron James UNDER 8.5 Rebounds (-150)
LeBron James has shown no signs of slowing down this season at 38 years old, averaging 29.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game. Betting against him in any statistical category always feels like a scary proposition, but there should be some value to the UNDER 8.5 rebounds line in this matchup.
James has finished with exactly eight rebounds in four of his last five games and landed on seven rebounds in the game before that. On Friday, he’ll be facing a Memphis team that ranks No. 1 in the NBA in rebounding with 49 rebounds per game. Look for another game with around seven or eight rebounds for James in this one.
