The Los Angeles Lakers head to the FedExForum to take on the Memphis Grizzlies. The game starts at 8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Feb. 24 and will air on TWC and FxS.
The Grizzlies easily got past the Nets 109-90 in their last game. Mike Conley was the team’s high scorer with 20 points on 7-for-13 shooting. The Lakers, meanwhile, are coming off a 120-111 loss to the Cavaliers in their last outing. Lou Williams had a good shooting night, leading the team with 28 points.
Over the last five games, Conley has been playing at a high level for the Grizzlies. During that stretch, he has averaged 17.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.6 three-pointers. Kobe Bryant has also been on a tear in the same span, averaging 25.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steal, and 4.4 three-pointers while leading the Lakers.
Memphis should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. They rank fifth in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.1%). Meanwhile, the Lakers force the third-fewest turnovers in the league (12.4%).
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Grizzlies won the first game 112-96. Conley was a top performer in the victory with 19 points, four rebounds, five assists, four steals, and one three-pointer.
Notes
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Memphis Grizzlies are a stellar 22-7. In games where they fail to hit triple digits, the Los Angeles Lakers have a subpar record of 5-33.
Both Memphis and Los Angeles have losing records when they allow and score at least 100 points, respectively. The Grizzlies are 9-15 in the former situation, and the Lakers are 6-11 in the latter.
The Lakers have a defensive rating of 108.9 (ranked 30th). The Grizzlies rank 19th for their offensive rating of 102.9.
Memphis averages fewer possessions per game than Los Angeles, with 95.4 compared to 98.3. However, the Grizzlies score an average of 1.029 points per possession, more than the .982 that the Lakers score.
The Memphis Grizzlies average an effective field goal percentage of 48.1% this season. The Los Angeles Lakers have an underachieving record of 5-36 when opponents have an EFF% of 48.1% or greater.
On average, Memphis attempts 17.0 three pointers and Los Angeles attempts 24.0 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, the Grizzlies are even at 1-1 while the Lakers have an abysmal 5-24 record.
Memphis has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.70 this season (ranked 11th), while Los Angeles ranks lower at 27th with an A/TO of 1.37.
Memphis ranks 29th in rebounds per game with 40.9, while Los Angeles ranks 17th with 43.0 per game.
The Los Angeles Lakers rank 14th in offensive rebounding, while the Memphis Grizzlies rank 29th in defensive rebounding.
Memphis is one of the top teams in forced turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 16.4% (ranked first). Los Angeles has a subpar record of 1-11 SU this season when its TOV% reaches 16.4% or greater.
