Lakers were favored entering this game<\/em>, especially with Morant out.<\/p>\nMemphis came out aggressive<\/strong><\/em>, especially in the 1st quarter, in which they outscored Los Angeles 30-19. They held the Lakers to 27 Percent Three Point Shooting<\/strong><\/em>, and 41 Percent from the field. The Grizzlies did an excellent job of outrebounding the Lakers<\/strong><\/em>, especially defensively.<\/p>\nAlthough both teams shot 76.2 percent from the Free-Throw Line, it was the Grizzlies defense and early momentum<\/strong><\/em> that spoke for this game. Xavier Tillman<\/strong><\/em> had a quiet first game and ended up with a career-high 22 Points in Game 2.<\/strong><\/em> In addition, Tillman grabbed 13 boards for the double double. Dillon Brooks was in LeBron\u2019s face all night, forcing him to throw passes in the paint. In addition, there was a tremendous amount of glaring and trash talking from Brooks to James.<\/p>\nAnthony Davis struggled down low<\/strong><\/em>, although he had 5 blocks. Davis went 4-14 from the Field and played 38 Minutes. However, Rui Hachimura stepped up later, and LeBron James led the way with 28 Points and 12 Rebounds<\/strong><\/em>. It\u2019s important to know guard D\u2019Angelo Russell struggled for the 2nd straight game. Russell shot 2-11 from the Field,<\/strong> and 1-5 from the Three.<\/strong> <\/em>Besides Hachimura, the Lakers bench only provided 7 points, which is concerning. For the Grizzlies, all their starters had points in double-digits and had 24 points off the bench.<\/strong><\/em> Jaren Jackson Jr. worked Anthony Davis all game, had 5 Blocks, 9 Rebounds, and 18 Points. Both Jackson Jr. and Tillman combined for 22 Rebounds.<\/strong> <\/em>This was a little surprising since the Grizzlies play small at times.<\/p>\nSeason Matchup<\/h2>\nLakers are 2-1 vs. The Grizzlies this season.<\/h3>\nGame 1: Grizzlies 121 -Lakers 122 (Los Angeles Home).<\/h4>\n
Betting Odds:<\/strong> Memphis (-7), Over\/Under 244.<\/em>
\nBetting Results:<\/strong> Lakers Money Line, Lakers +7, UNDER.<\/em><\/p>\nGame 2: Lakers 109- Grizzlies 121(Memphis Home).<\/h4>\n
Betting Odds:<\/strong> Memphis (-9), Over\/Under 230.5.<\/em>
\nBetting Results:<\/strong> Memphis Money Line, Memphis -9, UNDER.<\/em><\/p>\nGame 3: Grizzlies 103- Lakers 112 (Los Angeles Home).<\/h4>\n
Betting Odds:<\/strong> Memphis (-1.5) Over\/Under 224.<\/em>
\nBetting Results:<\/strong> Lakers Money Line, Lakers +1.5, UNDER.<\/em><\/p>\nInjury Report<\/h2>\nMemphis Grizzlies<\/h2>\n
PG Ja Morant (Questionable): Hand Injury.<\/em>
\nC Steven Adams (OUT): Knee.<\/em>
\nPF Brandon Clarke (OUT): Left Achilles Tear.<\/em>
\nF Jake LaRavia (OUT): Calf.<\/em><\/p>\nLos Angeles Lakers<\/h3>\n
PG Dennis Schroder (Probable): Right Achilles Soreness.<\/em>
\nPF Anthony Davis (Probable): Right Foot Stress Injury.<\/em>
\nSF LeBron James (Probable): Right Foot Soreness.<\/em><\/p>\nKey Players<\/h2>\nMemphis Grizzlies<\/h3>\nJaren Jackson Jr.<\/h4>\n
Power Forward Jaren Jackson Jr<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 stepped up nicely, given star Ja Morant was out for the game. He has been very much a force on both sides of the basketball. <\/b>\u00a0In 2 playoff games<\/strong><\/em> against the Lakers, Jackson Jr. averages 24.5 Points, 2.5 Blocks, 1 Steal, and is shooting 42.9 percent from the Three, and 54.5 Percent from the Field.<\/em> Jackson is listed as 6\u201d11 and plays the 5 with Steven Adams out.<\/p>\nLike Game 2, Jackson will be a key matchup against Anthony Davis down low and will look to keep up his offensive numbers. \u00a0Jackson Jr. averaged 18.8 Points, 2.4 Blocks, 6.5 Rebounds, and shot 37.7 percent from the Three o<\/strong>n<\/em> the Road this season.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nDesmond Bane<\/h4>\n
Desmond Bane is another series leader, and a key player for the Grizzlies. In 2 Playoff games <\/strong>a<\/em>gainst the Lakers, Bane is averaging 19.5 Points, 3.5 Assists, 4.5 Rebounds, and shoots 100 percent from the free-throw line. However, he\u2019s struggled shooting from the Field and the Three-Point.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nBane shot the ball very well on the road this season.<\/strong><\/em> He averaged 16.1 Points, and shot 42.6 Percent from the Three, and 46.9 Percent from the field<\/em>. In 2 regular season games<\/strong><\/em> against Los Angeles, Desmond Bane averaged only 13 a game, however, he had almost 2 steals a game.<\/em> Look for Bane to lock up D\u2019Angelo Russell, who\u2019s been struggling, or Austin Reaves, who could be an X- Factor for the Lakers.<\/p>\nLos Angeles Lakers<\/h3>\nLeBron James<\/h4>\n
LeBron James had a tremendous amount of help in Game 1, however, he had to take over in the second game.<\/strong><\/em> Although Dillion Brooks plays strong defense on James, LeBron didn\u2019t seem bothered by Brooks play or his comments. If anything, LeBron James has been in the league and postseason long enough to keep his head down and help his team anyway he can.<\/p>\nIn 2 Playoff Games<\/strong> <\/em>against Memphis, LeBron James is averaging 24.5 Points, 1.5 Steals, 2 Blocks, 4 Assists, and 11.5 Rebounds. In addition, he\u2019s shooting 51 percent from the field. However, James continues to struggle from the Three and the Free-Throw line.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nIn Home Games this season,<\/strong> James averaged 27.7 Points, 7.2 Assists, and 8 Rebounds. He shot 49.4 Percent from the Field, and 33.7 Percent from the Three.<\/em> LeBron will be a huge X factor tonight, offensively, and defensively. The Key for LeBron will be his three-point shot percentage and free-throw percentage.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nAnthony Davis<\/h4>\n
Anthony Davis is a key part of the Lakers<\/strong><\/em>, especially when it comes to rebounds down low. Although Anthony Davis didn\u2019t look himself, and struggled from the field in Game 2, he\u2019s averaging 17.5 Points, 1.5 Steals, 6 Blocks, 3 Assists, and 10.5 Rebounds<\/em> in 2 Playoff Games against Memphis.<\/strong><\/em> In addition, Davis is shooting 100 percent from the Free-Throw Line, 100 percent from the three, and 45 percent from the Field.<\/strong> <\/em>Anthony Davis also averaged over 12 Rebounds a game, and 2.1 Blocks<\/em> in Home Games<\/strong><\/em> this year.<\/p>\nI expect Anthony Davis to have a bounce back game, especially if the Grizzlies play small. He looked lifeless last game, and the Lakers need him to perform. I do expect Jaren Jackson Jr. to be a force on the boards, which will be a challenge for Davis.<\/p>\n
Key Stats-Playoffs<\/h2>\n
\u2022Memphis<\/strong> averages 107.5 Points Per Game.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\u2022Los Angeles<\/strong> averages 110.5<\/em> Points Per Game.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\u2022Memphis<\/strong> ranks 7th in Points Allowed <\/strong><\/em>with 110.5 Opponent Point Per Game.<\/em><\/p>\n\u2022Los Angeles<\/strong> ranks 6th in Points Allowed<\/em> <\/strong>with 107.5 Opponent Points Per Game.<\/em><\/p>\n\u2022Memphis<\/strong> ranks 10th in Rebounds Per Game <\/em><\/strong>with 41.5.<\/em><\/p>\n\u2022Los Angeles<\/strong> ranks 5th in Rebounds Per Game<\/strong><\/em> with 46.<\/em><\/p>\n\u2022Memphis<\/strong> ranks 12th in Point Differential<\/strong> <\/em>at -3.<\/em><\/p>\n\u2022Los Angeles<\/strong> ranks 5th in Point Differential<\/strong> <\/em>at +3.0.<\/em><\/p>\n\u2022Memphis<\/strong> ranks 1st in Blocked Shots<\/strong> <\/em>with 9 per game.<\/em><\/p>\n\u2022Los Angeles<\/strong> ranks 3rd in Blocked Shot<\/em>s<\/strong> with 7 per game.<\/em><\/p>\n\u2022Memphis<\/strong> averages 33.3 percent<\/em> from the 3-point range<\/strong><\/em>, while Los Angeles<\/strong> averages 36.5 percent<\/em> from the 3-point range.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nKey Stats-Regular Season<\/h2>\n
\u2022Memphis<\/strong> averaged 116.9<\/em> Points Per Game.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\u2022Los Angeles<\/strong> averaged117.2<\/em> Points Per Game.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\u2022Memphis<\/strong> ranked 11th in <\/strong>P<\/em>oints Allowed <\/strong><\/em>with 113 Opponent Points Per Game.<\/em><\/p>\n\u2022Los Angeles<\/strong> ranked 20th in <\/strong>Points Allowed <\/strong><\/em> with 116.6 Opponent Points Per Game.<\/em><\/p>\n\u2022Memphis<\/strong> ranked 21st in Rebounds Per Game<\/strong><\/em> with 44.4.<\/em><\/p>\n\u2022Los Angeles<\/strong> ranked