The Los Angeles Lakers (11-48) will try to put an end to their seven-game skid when they take on the Memphis Grizzlies (33-23) at the Staples Center. The game begins at 10:30 pm ET on Friday, Feb. 26 and will air on ESP and TWC.
The Lakers are expecting better results after their 128-119 loss to the Grizzlies on Wednesday. Jordan Clarkson finished with 28 points to lead the game.
Over the last five games, Clarkson has been playing at a high level for the Lakers, averaging 21.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.8 three-pointers. On the other side, the Grizzlies have been led by Conley. He has been on fire, averaging 20.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.8 three-pointers in the same time frame.
The Lakers look to improve upon their records of 11-48 Straight Up (SU) and 29-30 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 11-48 SU and 29-30 ATS against the Western Conference. The Lakers have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 107.2 points during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 97.6 points per game. Los Angeles has gotten to the free throw line often this season. They average 19 made free throws per game, which is fourth-best in the NBA.
As for their opponent, the Grizzlies have a record of 26-27-3 ATS and 33-23 SU. Memphis has a poor SU record over the last 10 games (2-8), but have a 7-3 record ATS. Memphis’s defense as a whole has been firing on all cylinders so far, ranking fourth in the NBA with only 97.5 points allowed per road game. Don’t expect Memphis to give away the ball much on offense, where its 12.5 turnovers per game ranks fourth in the league.
Memphis beat Los Angeles in their most recent meeting this season, bringing its SU record in the past 10 games to 9-1. However, the Lakers hold the advantage ATS with a record of 7-2-1.
Predictions: SU Winner – Mem
Notes
On average, Memphis puts up 98.6 points per game (ranked 24th). Los Angeles ranks 28th in points allowed per game with 107.1.
Memphis puts up an average of 95.5 points per away game (ranked 28th), while Los Angeles allows 103.6 points per home game (ranked 22nd).
When allowing fewer than 100 points, the Grizzlies are 22-8 on the season. When the Lakers score fewer than 100, they are a subpar 5-33.
When giving up at least 100 points, Memphis has an 11-15 record. When Los Angeles hits triple digits, it is a poor 6-15.
The Lakers have a defensive rating of 110.1 (ranked 30th), while the Grizzlies rank 16th for their offensive rating of 103.4.
The Memphis Grizzlies average a field goal percentage of 44.6% this season. The Los Angeles Lakers have an abysmal record of 5-37 when opponents have a FG% of 44.6% or greater.
The Memphis Grizzlies rank higher for their field goal percentage (19th) than their effective field goal percentage (26th), while the Los Angeles Lakers rank the same for both metrics (30th).
The Grizzlies average 21.2 assists per game (ranked 21st), while the Lakers rank last in the league with just 18.1.
The Los Angeles Lakers average 4.3 blocks per game for a rank of 22nd. The Memphis Grizzlies rank higher (21st), earning 4.3 blocks each contest.
The Los Angeles Lakers rank 10th in offensive rebounding, while the Memphis Grizzlies rank 30th in defensive rebounding.
Memphis averages 8.7 steals per game, ranking seventh in the league. Los Angeles is an abysmal 3-24 when it gives up at least 8 steals.
