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Memphis Grizzlies: 3 Keys to Foiling the Playoff Push of LeBron James, Lakers

By Christian Dudley

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23: Los Angeles Lakers Forward LeBron James (23) driving during the Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Lakers game on December 23, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Icon Sportswire)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23: Los Angeles Lakers Forward LeBron James (23) driving during the Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Lakers game on December 23, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Icon Sportswire) /
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Memphis Grizzlies LeBron James Lakers
The Memphis Grizzlies will look to stop LeBron James & the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday (Photo by Icon Sportswire) /

Get the Ball Out of LeBron James’ Hands

When the Los Angeles Lakers have been clicking and winning this season, a lot has to do with LeBron James. It is the same scenario as any LeBron-led team over the past decade and more. The dude is unstoppable, even at 34 years of age.

Whether you are a LeBron fan or not, you have to respect him. You can never count his team out, regardless of deficit or situation. Just like now — with the L.A. Lakers sitting in 10th in the Western Conference — they will surely go on a tear at any given moment and squeak into the postseason.

Still, even with his greatness, you have to wonder if they will actually make it. As tough as the West always has been, this year seems even more difficult. So many teams are packed within a span of a few games. Some very deserving organizations will miss clinching a playoff berth by the skin of their teeth. Will it be LeBron James and the Lakers?

The Memphis Grizzlies can do their part in keeping the Lakers at home when the postseason opens by notching a victory on Monday. Plus, it would help them get closer to conveying this year’s first-round pick, assuming you are on the side of the fence within Grizz Nation wanting to to convey it to Boston.

The No. 1 thing the Grizzlies must do on Monday is force LeBron James to rely upon his teammates. Make him pass out of situations. Give up the rock. In the 17 consecutive games King James missed due to injury this season, L.A. went 6-11 over that span. This is proof in itself that the King’s supporting cast is not very comfortable without him on the floor.

Now that LeBron James states he is “locked in,” it would not be surprising to see him post 40-point games night-in and night-out, just because that is what he has been capable of doing for over a decade.

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Entering Monday’s game, Memphis owns the league’s second-best defense (allowing just 104.0 points per game) despite their poor record. They have the tools necessary to shut down LeBron James & company. Or should we say had? The NBA Trade Deadline has not been friendly to the Grizzlies on the defensive end, offering up 115.3 points per game to their opponents over the past three matchups.

One battle certainly to watch is Grizzlies Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff placing Avery Bradley on LeBron on the defensive side of the ball. Aside from Bradley, Bruno Caboclo is an option that offers great length and athleticism on defense, but due to his youth and lack of experience, it could be a very long night for the Grizzlies if they have to depend on him to slow King James.

If LeBron does have to cough up the rock, do not expect the result to be an accumulation of turnovers. The Lakers rank second-best in controlling the ball with just 16.0 turnovers per game. Plus, they are slightly better on the road than at home in this regard. For James specifically, he is averaging the fewest amount of turnovers (3.5 per game) of his past three seasons.

It is inevitable that all eyes will be on a focused LeBron James in this meeting beween the Grizzlies and Lakers. It is up to Memphis to keep the bandwagon fans quiet and not assist in James’ heat wave of offense.

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