Getting the two worst teams in the Western Conference in a back-to-back would be a gift for most clubs, but Memphis will take a cautious approach with their depleted roster. The Griz are 9-6 SU in the second of a back-to-back, but are just 1-4 in their last five such games. They’ve handled the Lakers easily in the first three meetings and should do so again.
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SCHEDULING
Battered Memphis has struggled without most of its core pieces this month, losing four straight games without Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, Zach Randolph and several key reserves. The skid included losses on back-to-back days to lowly Minnesota and Milwaukee last week, the latter Memphis’ fourth straight road defeat. Randolph returned over the weekend, though, and carried the Grizzlies to Saturday’s 113-102 win over the Los Angeles Clippers with his first career triple-double. The Grizzlies are 9-6 SU in the second of a back-to-back, but are just 1-4 in their last five. Memphis has been a good bet in this situation with an 11-4 ATS record in the back end of consecutive games.
The Lakers have returned to their losing ways, dropping four straight following a two-game winning streak that included a victory over the Warriors. LA has failed to build any momentum from that surge and closes out its eight-game homestand trying to secure its first win over Memphis. The Lakers should be rested having three full days off since dropping a 95-90 decision to Phoenix on Friday.
INJURIES
Conley remains out of the Grizzlies lineup with an Achilles injury and is probably still a few weeks away from returning. Memphis will sign former Laker Jordan Farmar to stabilize the backcourt. Forwards P.J. Hairston, Brandan Wright, Chris Andersen, and guard Jordan Adams are all out, leaving the Griz to bring in four players on 10-day contracts.
Kobe Bryant continues to struggle with a shoulder injury that forced him to miss the last two games. He’s listed as day to day. Forward Ryan Kelly injured his wrist in the last game and is questionable to go on Wednesday.
KEY MATCHUP
Zach Randolph is doing everything in his power to keep his ailing team from falling apart. Saturday against the Clippers he did everything and more, carrying his team to a win. Randolph turned back the clock to the days when he was considered the centerpiece of the Grizzlies team. He recorded 28 points and 11 rebounds as the Griz held on for a 113-102 win. But the story was his 10 assists. The 28 and 11 line is something Grizzlies fans have become accustomed to from Z-Bo, but the assist total was a shock. It was his first career triple-double. Randolph has taken over the role of facilitating big man with Gasol out for the season. With Conley, another key distributor, also out, somebody had to do the job. Randolph appeared to have a jump in his step after returning from a seven game injury absence and the Grizzlies will welcome all the bodies they can get back on the floor.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
For as bad as the Lakers are, they may have played their worse game of the season Friday in a 95-90 home loss to Phoenix. But the loss could actually be a win in the long run. LA has a five-game lead now on the Suns for the second-worst record in the NBA. And the Lakers would like to keep their top-three protected pick. While the team and coach Byron Scott continue with their no tanking stance, it’s hard to believe after seeing their best young players sit nearly the entire fourth quarter. Now, I’m not a coach, but what Scott says and what he does are clearly two different things. Wouldn’t he want his future on the court in crunch time if he’s truly trying to win games? The Lakers are not so clearly trying to finish in the bottom three and the Grizzlies will gladly take a win when offered up by LA.
Memphis 109, Los Angeles 98
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