Lakers vs Grizzlies Betting Odds – Lakers Will Tame the Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies have a chance to win the season series when they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. They will first have to deal with Kobe Bryant, who is expected to play after missing 5 games with an ankle injury. In the first meeting this season, Bryant became the youngest player to score 24,000 points and in the second he became the all-time Lakers scoring leader; what does he have in store for the third matchup?

The Storyline – Lakers vs Grizzlies betting odds breakdown
The Lakers (42-14) will be looking to get back to their winning ways after having their four game winning streak snapped at the hands of the Boston Celtics on Thursday. The Grizzlies (28-27) have lost six of their last eight; however their two wins have come in the past three games against New Jersey and the red-hot Toronto Raptors.

Offensive Matchups – Lakers vs Grizzlies betting odds breakdown 
Those doing sports betting should know Los Angeles did not lose its step in the five games without Kobe as the team went 4-1 in that stretch however their scoring went down. It was inevitable that the Lakers would miss Kobe’s 28 points and 4.7 assists per game and their scoring average dropped to 97.2 over the five games. He is expected back in the line-up however what he will be able to contribute is unknown. In Bryant’s absence, Shannon Brown picked up the slack; averaging 14.6 points, up from his previous season average of 7.6.

The Grizzlies have to dominate on the inside if they want to win this game. They are one of the worst teams when it comes to three-point, averaging just 4.2 a game at 33.4 percent. Memphis is however, one of the best teams in both offensive rebounds and field-goal percentage. In their win against the Lakers, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol combined for 33 points and 30 rebounds, a feat that will have to be repeated if Memphis is going to win.

Betting Edge: Lakers

Defensive Matchups – Lakers vs Grizzlies betting odds breakdown 
The Lakers are allowing a miniscule 96 points a game and holding teams to just 43 percent shooting from the floor. They are also disciplined in giving away the second lowest number of free throws, just 22 per game. In the last five games without Kobe, the Lakers have held teams to just 86.4 points and will most likely carry on with that trend as they iron out the kinks in their team down the stretch.

Memphis is one of the worst teams in defence as it is allowing over 103 points a game as opponents are shooting 48 percent against the Grizzlies; third highest in the league. They are one of the best at not allowing opposing teams to get to the free throw line that will be a big part of any success since, besides Bryant, the Lakers struggle to get to the charity stripe.

Betting Edge: Lakers

Notable Injuries – Lakers vs Grizzlies betting odds breakdown 
Kobe’s broken index finger on his shooting hand was something that he had been able to play through, his sprained ankle is not. The Lakers leader in points, assists, steals, free throws and minutes this season is expected back however Luke Walton is not with a pinched nerve in his neck.

Ronnie Brewer was the big acquisition at the trade deadline for the Grizzlies but he lasted less than 12 minutes before partially tearing his hamstring. It is unknown how long he will be out but he will definitely miss this game.

Betting Edge: Lakers

Betting Prediction – Lakers vs Grizzlies betting odds breakdown 
The experts doing the sportsbook know that the Lakers have been very good at learning from their mistakes this year as only Cleveland and Denver have multiple wins against L.A. this season. While Memphis is the Cinderella story of the year and pulled out a win on February first, it is just are not in the same league that the Lakers reside.  

Pick: Lakers