The 7th-seeded Los Angeles Lakers take on the 2-seed Memphis Grizzlies Sunday in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals. Tip from FedExForum is set for 3 p.m. ET (ABC). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Lakers vs. Grizzlies odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Lakers took down the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-102 in overtime during the play-in tournament Tuesday. The books love the Lakers as they have them tied with Memphis at +1600 to win the NBA Championship. The Lakers are even shorter odds to come out of the West at +600 with Memphis +700.
Memphis went through some turmoil with G Ja Morant‘s suspension, but it didn’t miss a beat. The Grizzlies were 11-8 without Morant this season; they’re a deep team that can beat you from the perimeter and from the paint. G Desmond Bane took a huge step forward this year, averaging career-highs of 21.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.
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Lakers at Grizzlies odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at noon ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Lakers +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Grizzlies -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lakers +4.5 (-115) | Grizzlies -4.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 228.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Lakers at Grizzlies key injuries
Lakers
- F Anthony Davis (foot) probable
- F LeBron James (foot) probable
- G Dennis Schroder (Achilles’) probable
Grizzlies
- C Steven Adams (knee) out
- F Brandon Clarke (Achilles’) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Lakers at Grizzlies picks and predictions
Prediction
Grizzlies 115, Lakers 111
Moneyline
The Lakers have won 2 of the last 3 meetings, and I like them to take 1 of these games in Memphis. The sharps are on Memphis, though, as 51% of the tickets are on the Lakers but 67% of the cash is on Memphis. That has steamed the Grizzlies up 10 cents Sunday morning.
I’ll take the GRIZZLIES (-165) IN REGULAR TIME.
Against the spread
Seven of the last 8 games between these teams have been decided by at least 5 points. A cause for concern, though, is Memphis was dead last in the league with a 73.3% free-throw percentage. I’m going to shy away from the spread and look to the total instead.
PASS.
One particular prop I do like is LEBRON JAMES OVER 8.5 REBOUNDS (-115). He had 10 boards in the play-in game and 9 the only time he faced Memphis this year.
Over/Under
The Under is 9-1-2 in the last 12 meetings in Memphis and 14-3-1 in the last 18 meetings overall. These teams will feel each other out early on, which should provide enough padding for the UNDER 228.5 (-115) to cash.
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