Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Lakers Preview
The Memphis Grizzlies (7-4) will travel to take on the Los Angeles Lakers (6-4) in a Western Conference clash. The Lakers are coming off a 123-103 win against the Toronto Raptors. These two teams faced off a short time ago, and the Grizzlies pulled off the win at home.
The Lakers are coming into tonight’s game with a 5-0 home record, and the winners of two straight look to keep their home record perfect to begin the season.
Anthony Davis, who left the game early against Toronto with an eye injury, is expected to play tonight. Davis is on a tear to begin the season, as he is averaging 31 points and 10 rebounds, along with two blocks per game. Davis has done a great job to start games, but the bench seems to be the big issue for the team.
JJ Redick says Christian Wood developed soreness in his knee during his ramp up process and an update on Wood’s return will come in four weeks.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 12, 2024
Lakers Bench Struggles
The Lakers bench has been an area of struggle early on this season. The bench as a whole is averaging 24 points per game, which is nowhere near where JJ Redick wants them to be.
Jaxson Hayes, who has been coming in off the bench for Anthony Davis, suffered a left ankle sprain during practice and will be re-evaluated in 1-2 weeks. The Lakers are left with two big men on the roster: Davis and Christian Koloko, who is on a two-way contract.
The Lakers also did not receive good news regarding Christian Wood, as he suffered a setback in his injury rehab and will need re-evaluation in four weeks.
Los Angeles must address the center rotation because Davis can’t do it all alone. Now is a great opportunity for Koloko to earn some decent minutes off the bench.
Lakers Key Players To Watch
Austin Reaves has taken a significant jump this season, is averaging a career-high 19 points per game, and has some great passing skills.
Reaves is coming off a 27-point performance in the win against the Raptors. With the move of D’Angelo Russell to the bench, Reaves has had more opportunity to be a distributor, as he has had 18 assists over his last three games.
D’Angelo Russell has been coming off the bench for the Lakers for the last two games and has done quite well. He is coming off a 15-point game against Toronto and an 18-point game against the 76ers.
Russell has accepted the role of coming off the bench, and Redick doesn’t know if this will be a long-term move, but the team has won both games with Russell coming off the bench.
Scotty Pippen Jr. says he circled tonight’s game vs the Lakers on his calendar 👀
“I definitely circled it on the calendar. But I’ll approach it the same way I approach any game. I’m going in there playing hard and letting the game be the game.”
(Via @MarkG_Medina, @Sportskeeda… pic.twitter.com/ONHBxqWkEW
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 13, 2024
The Opponents
The Grizzlies will have a new look tonight as Ja Morant and Desmond Bane will both miss tonight’s game. Marcus Smart is listed as questionable but is on track to play, and Brandon Clarke will be a game-time decision.
The loss of Morant is huge, but this opens up more opportunity for Scotty Pippen Jr., a former star for the South Bay Lakers, to have this game circled on his calendar.
Tonight should be fun as the Lakers will look for their third straight win and hope to keep their home record perfect.
