The Lakers’ losing woes are finally over after they eased past the Denver Nuggets 111-103 Tuesday in a showdown at Pepsi Center. They can make it two wins in a row this coming Friday, but will face the ultimate test when they host the streaking Memphis Grizzlies who are fresh off a thrilling eight-point victory over the defending champion San Antonio Spurs.
Read on below for a preview of this matchup and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors here.
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Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles
When: Friday, January 2, 2015, 10:30 PM ET
Line: Memphis Grizzlies (-4.5) at Los Angeles Lakers (+4.5); total: 200.5 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Memphis Grizzlies
Mike Conley made sure 48 minutes will be enough to defeat the Spurs this time around.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Conley played the game of his life Tuesday night as he scored 30 points and dished out six assists to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 95-87 victory over the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. Conley was sizzling from the field, hitting 10 of his 13 shots to send Memphis to their second straight win and helped the Grizzlies claim at least a tie over the Spurs in the season series.
Conley was particularly impressive from beyond the arc where he connected on four of five three point attempts against the Spurs. The Grizzlies as a whole buried seven of their 15 three-point shots for an excellent 46.7 percent shooting clip from the perimeter.
They will be licking their chops at the prospect of facing a Los Angeles defense that is third-worst in the NBA in opposing three-point percentage, allowing rivals to shoot 38.3 percent from beyond the arc this season.
For the Grizzlies’ shooters to be wide open against the Lakers, it is vital for Marc Gasol to establish his presence for Memphis down low. He scored 17 points and grabbed nine boards for the Grizzlies in the game against the Spurs to provide the needed offensive support for Conley. The Spanish big man has been a force for the Grizzlies this season leading the team not only in points (20.1 PPG) but also in blocks (1.61 BPG) as well.
The Grizzlies are 2-0 against the Lakers this season.
Kobe Bryant made history Tuesday night as he recorded his 21st career triple-double in a 111-103 win over the Denver Nuggets. Bryant had 23 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists to help the Lakers snap its three-game losing streak.
What makes the feat more impressive was that it was Bryant’s second triple-double of the season. He joins Rajon Rondo, Eric Bledsoe and Michael Carter-Williams as the only players with multiple triple-doubles this season.
Not bad for a 36-year-old player who some are saying is well past his sell-by date. He is the third player in NBA history to record multiple triple-doubles in a season at age 36 or older with Wilt Chamberlain and Jason Kidd pulling off the same feats in the 1972-73 and 2009-2010 seasons respectively.
In fact, Kobe Bryant continues to be a vital cog in the Lakers’ scheme of things this season. He leads the team not only in points (24.1 PPG) but also in steals (1.45 SPG) and surprisingly in assists (5.2 APG) as well.
He will have his work cut out for him, though, this coming Thursday as the Grizzlies are the fourth-best defensive team in the league today allowing just 97.2 points per game this season. Bryant can take heart in the fact, however, that he is averaging 25 points and four assists per game in the Lakers’ two meetings with the Grizzlies so far this season.
The Lakers are 2-3 ATS in their last five games at home.
Writer’s Prediction
The Grizzlies (-4.5) edge past the Lakers, 106-99 to extend their winning streak to three games.
