The Los Angeles Lakers were unable to take advantage of their first opportunity to be able to close out the Memphis Grizzlies, but they now have the chance to do so tonight in front of their home fans, as the teams face off in Game 6 at Crypto.com Arena (10:30 pm ET, ESPN).
After taking a 3-1 lead thanks to two home wins, the Lakers could have finished off the series in Memphis on Wednesday night. But the Grizzlies blew open a one-point game in the second half with a 26-2 run and kept themselves alive with a 116-99 win.
Will this series conclude tonight in Los Angeles? Or will there be a Game 7 in Memphis on Sunday? Read on for our Grizzlies vs Lakers prediction, as well as our Game 6 best bets.
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Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Lakers Odds
Odds are via BetOnline as of Friday, April 28, 2023, at 3:25 pm ET.
Spread
- Memphis Grizzlies +4.5 (-106)
- Los Angeles Lakers -4.5 (-114)
Over/Under
- Over 220.5 (-110)
- Under 220.5 (-110)
Moneyline
- Memphis Grizzlies +180
- Los Angeles Lakers -215
Lakers Likely to Deliver Knockout Blow at Home
Wednesday's game was certainly a missed opportunity for the Lakers. After trailing by 17 in the second quarter, they pulled within 75-74 with 4:36 left in the third quarter on two LeBron James free throws.
After a stop on the following defensive possession, they had the chance to take the lead, but Austin Reaves couldn't covert on his shot attempt, and it all fell apart from there.
In six game minutes spanning the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth quarter, Memphis went on a 26-2 run while Los Angeles missed 13 of 14 shots, turning a one-point lead into a 25-point lead.
The Lakers would soon use a 12-0 run to trim a 24-point deficit in a half and pull themselves within 106-94 with four minutes left, but the Grizzlies would score 13 of the game's final 15 points to secure a trip back to L.A.
But will the pests of the West force a winner-take-all Game 7, or will they join the Bucks, Cavaliers, Clippers, Hawks, Nets, and Timberwolves in getting a one-way ticket out of Elimination Station?
Based on recent results, the latter is the more likely outcome.
- In their last 13 games after not covering the spread in their previous game, the Lakers are 11-2 SU and 9-4-0 ATS.
- In their last 14 games as a favorite, the Lakers are 12-2 SU and 9-5-0 ATS.
- The Lakers are 8-1 SU in their last nine games, with the only loss a 118-108 loss to the Chicago Bulls on March 26.
Also, the Grizzlies have been absolutely atrocious as an underdog this season. They are 3-18 SU and 6-15-0 ATS as an underdog, and they are 0-5 SU and ATS in their last five games in this scenario.
Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction and Best Bets
Prediction for Grizzlies vs Lakers: Lakers to win
Best Bets for Grizzlies vs Lakers: Lakers to cover (Best Value: -4.5 @ BetOnline)
Best Player Prop Bets for Grizzlies vs Lakers
In Game 5 in Memphis, LeBron was just 5 of 17 from the field, including 1 of 9 from three, and managed only 15 points.
In the previous instances in which he was held to 20 or fewer points this season, he scored 25 or more points in the following game on eight occasions.
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