2 min read • March 07, 2023
Posted in
Los Angeles will play their fifth straight game without Lebron James as they attempt to scratch themselves back into the play-in tournament.
Memphis, meanwhile, sits at the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference despite some recent off-the-court turmoil. The Grizzlies will look to improve their 12-20 away record without Ja Morant, who was suspended for two games and is away from the team.
Along with missing Morant, Memphis is down big man Steven Adams and bouncy forward Brandon Clarke.
Adams has missed the last 17 contests after suffering a PCL sprain in late January. The Grizzlies have sorely missed his rebounding ability and will be down another rebounder in Clarke, who suffered a torn left Achilles tendon on Friday.
Without Adams, the Grizzlies have averaged 7 less rebounds per game and hold a record of 7-10 over their last 17 games.
They lost 135-129 to the Clippers on Monday and were outrebounded 53-26.
Anthony Davis has been magnificent since returning from his right foot stress injury, averaging 35 points in the three recent games he has played without King James. Davis is probable to play despite being listed with right foot soreness.
He is now the focal point of the offense and is playing like it.
Speedy point guard Dennis Schroder has also stepped up in running the offense, leading the team in assists in three of the last four games with an average of 8.5.
The new look offense may get a weapon back in D’Angelo Russell, who is questionable for the contest. He has missed the last 5 games since suffering an inversion right ankle sprain on Feb. 23.
If he plays, it will likely be in a limited role – potentially off the bench – to get him up to speed.
Russell is averaging 13.5 points, 5 assists and 3.5 rebounds across 4 games since rejoining the Lakers via trade.
The Lakers are 2-point favorites at home, with the Grizzlies at +108 on the money line and Los Angeles at -126, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Join SIC to make more informed plays for Fantasy, DFS and Sports Betting as trusted by over 200k followers!
Sign up here and you'll get our new FREE SIC Newsletter each Tuesday and Saturday! Our newsletter will have the best NFL, CFB, NBA and MLB injury insights from our Pro Sports Doctors plus Free Picks delivered straight to your inbox to give you an edge!
Written by
