Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Lakers Betting Pick & Prediction 12/15/24
At 9:30 ET, the 2nd-ranked Memphis Grizzlies will take on the 10th-ranked Los Angeles Lakers in a Western Conference matchup. The Grizzlies are currently favored by 4 points and have a record of 18-8, while the Lakers are 13-12.
This game will be played at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and can be seen on SN-LA. The over/under line for this game is currently set at 232.5 points.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES VS LOS ANGELES LAKERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Memphis Grizzlies -4
This game will be played at Crypto.com Arena at 9:30 ET on Sunday, December 15th.
WHY BET THE MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 159-123 in favor of the Grizzlies.
- Our projections have Ja Morant finishing with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists.
- From the field, we have the Grizzlies finishing with a field goal percentage of 46.0% and knocking down 18 threes.
Does Memphis Have A Chance at Crypto.com Arena?
With a 135-119 win over the Nets on Friday, the Grizzlies improved to 18-8 on the season. Memphis, playing at home, entered the game as 10-point favorites and covered the spread. The total points of 254.5 exceeded the over/under line of 227.5 by 26.5 points.
Memphis took control in the 2nd quarter, outscoring the Nets 30-20. The Nets made an 11-0 run, but the Grizzlies responded and went into the 4th quarter leading 107-95, ultimately outscoring the Nets 28-24 in the final period.
Ja Morant’s 28 points and 10 assists led the Grizzlies to a 135-119 win over the Nets, with Memphis shooting 52.5% from the field and hitting 17 threes at a 47.2% clip. Desmond Bane added 21 points, and both Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama contributed 20 points each.
Morant scored 16 of his 28 points in the 2nd quarter, while Aldama added 10 points in the 3rd. Brandon Clarke also made an impact late, scoring 8 of his 14 points in the 4th quarter.
The Grizzlies’ defense had its ups and downs, giving up 119 points to the Nets, including 36 in the 1st and 39 in the 3rd quarters. However, they tightened up in the 2nd and 4th, allowing just 20 and 24 points, respectively.
Memphis allowed Brooklyn to hit 20 threes on 37% shooting. The Nets also went 15/19 from the free-throw line. The Grizzlies collected 37 defensive rebounds, gave up 8 offensive boards, and recorded 9 steals and 4 blocks.
Can The Lakers Secure a Home Victory?
The Lakers fell to 13-12 on the season after a 97-87 road loss to the Timberwolves on Friday. Los Angeles entered the game as +8.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 184, well under the O/U line of 213.5.
Los Angeles got off to a slow start, trailing 32-23 after the 1st quarter. They tightened up defensively in the 2nd, winning the quarter 21-18, but Minnesota pulled away again in the 3rd, outscoring the Lakers 27-22. Los Angeles couldn’t make up the 11-point deficit in the 4th, edging the Timberwolves 21-20 in the final quarter.
In their 97-87 loss to the Timberwolves, the Lakers struggled offensively, shooting just 38.4% from the field and 28.6% from beyond the arc, making only 10 threes. Anthony Davis led the way with 23 points and 11 rebounds, hitting 47.6% of his shots.
Austin Reaves added 18 points, connecting on 4 threes at a 50% rate, while Max Christie contributed 15 points, shooting 55.6% from the field and 66.7% from deep. Davis scored 7 points in both the 1st and 2nd quarters, while Reaves and Christie each added 6 points in the final period.
Despite a strong defensive effort, the Lakers couldn’t secure the win against the Timberwolves, who scored 97 points on Friday. Los Angeles allowed 32 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up in the 2nd, giving up just 18. They allowed 27 points in the 3rd and 20 in the 4th.
The Lakers held Minnesota to 40% shooting, including 28% from three-point range, with the Timberwolves making just 9 threes. The Lakers sent Minnesota to the line 24 times, where they made 18 free throws. Defensively, the Lakers recorded 7 steals and 6 blocks.