Grizzlies vs. Lakers prediction and odds for Friday, January 20 (Memphis has key advantage)
By Peter Dewey
The Memphis Grizzlies are playing some terrific basketball as of late, winning their last 11 games to keep them within half a game of the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
As good as Memphis has been, the Denver Nuggets have kept the Grizz at bay in the West by winning eight straight of their own. Both of these teams play on Friday night, with the Grizzlies heading to Los Angeles to take on LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers are coming off a tough loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, and it was revealed in the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report that guard Kendrick Nunn was fouled on his 3-pointer that brought the Lakers within one with seven seconds to play.
The missed call cost the Lakers the game, and the team has now dropped four of its last five matchups.
Memphis is favored on the road in this spot, but the Grizz are just 8-8-1 against the spread as road favorites this season. Should bettors lay the points with Ja Morant and company?
Here’s a look at the latest odds and pick for this matchup:
Grizzlies vs. Lakers odds, spread and total
Grizzlies vs. Lakers prediction and pick
The Lakers have actually been solid as home underdogs this season (7-5 against the spread), but I’m fading them in this spot.
The Grizzlies are on an absolute tear right now, moving to second in the NBA in net rating, and they’ve dominated their last few road games. Memphis beat the Indiana Pacers by 18, Orlando Magic by eight and Charlotte Hornets by 24 in its last three as road favorites.
While the Lakers do have James, they still are without Anthony Davis, Lonnie Walker IV and Austin Reaves, making their rotation incredibly short.
There are a ton of numbers that favor the Grizz here, as the team ranks No. 1 in the league in defensive rating and No. 5 in offensive rating while the Lakers clock in at No. 20 and No. 16 in those same categories.
I will admit that 7.5 points is a lot to give any team led by James, but the Grizzlies have been playing too well as of late to fade against a weak Lakers supporting cast.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.