Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant had to miss Wednesday night’s Game 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers, as the injury to his right hand that he suffered in Game 1 hurt too much for him to be able to play. That news made it look like the Lakers would be able to roll to a 2-0 lead on the road in their Western Conference quarterfinal series, but Xavier Tillman made a stand, setting a career high with 22 points while pulling down 13 rebounds in a 103-93 win that sends the series to Hollywood tied at a game apiece. Memphis built a lead as large as 20 during the game, thanks to Tillman filling the paint in the absence of center Steven Adams and backup Brandon Clarke. Jaren Jackson Jr put up 18 for the Grizzlies, and Desmond Bane added 17. Tyus Jones had 10 points and eight assists after finding out just an hour before tipoff that he would be the starting point guard. How will things go in Los Angeles? Don’t miss our NBA betting preview.
NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Quarterfinal Preview
Memphis Grizzlies at L.A. Lakers, Game 3
When: Saturday, April 22, 2023, 10:00 pm ET
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
TV: ESPN
Radio: ESPN 92.9 FM Memphis / ESPNLA 710 AM Los Angeles
Live Stream: Sling TV
NBA Odds: Memphis +4.5 / O/U 220.5 // Memphis +170 / Los Angeles -210
Why should you bet on the Memphis Grizzlies?
Even if Morant has to miss Game 3, the Grizzlies won’t panic. They are 37-24 in his career when he is not on the floor. Sports reporter Skip Bayless said, shortly before Game 2, that he would back the Lakers if Morant played, but with Tyus Jones in his spot, he liked Memphis – and Memphis won. The Grizzlies are a better defensive team when Morant isn’t playing. While his offense is elite, he doesn’t put as much focus on guarding. The Lakers shot just 41% in Game 2, and the Grizzlies patrolled the boards well. Jaren Jackson Jr had nine boards to go along with his 18 points.
If you like the Grizzlies, then you also know that the Lakers can be a fragile team mentally. Even with icons LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the floor, the Lakers do not show consistent effort from one game to the next. LeBron has shown that he will quit when things are not going his way, so if the Grizzlies keep the effort coming and frustrate the two of them, they could take Game 3. AD is a force in the paint, but there are nights when he looks like he’s taking the night off – and Tillman has frustrated him historically.
Bet on the Grizzlies!
Why should you put your money on the Lakers?
Los Angeles only made seven of their 26 shots from distance and lost the battle of the boards in Game 2. It’s hard to imagine them shooting that poorly again in Game 3 on their home floor. Plus, AD should have plenty of motivation after only managing 13 points and nine rebounds in Game 2. D’Angelo Russell only scored five points in the loss, as LeBron (28 points and 12 rebounds) was really the only Laker who came with motivation. Rui Hachimura did back up his big Game 1 performance with 20 points off the bench, but it was not enough.
If you like the Lakers, then you see the collection of stars that LeBron arranged around himself living up to its potential. There are no reported injuries on the Lakers’ roster, and it was injuries (either to LeBron, AD, or both) that kept the team so far down the standings until the last month or so of the season.
Bet on the Lakers!
Final Score and Prediction
I see the Lakers rebounding from their loss in Game 2. Tillman and the rest of the Grizzlies should come west with plenty of confidence after getting the win, but even with Ja Morant back in the lineup, the Lakers should elevate their game and win, 112-106.
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