Lakers vs. Grizzlies prediction and odds for Game 5 (Value on total)

The Memphis Grizzlies’ backs are against the wall in Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

Dillon Brooks poked the bear that is LeBron James, and the King responded with a 20-20 game in Game 4 to give the Lakers a 3-1 series lead.

Memphis won Game 2 at home without Ja Morant, so the team has to feel confident back at FedEx Forum with its All-Star point guard in the lineup. The Grizzlies went 35-6 at home this season.

This is a quick turnaround in Game 5, especially since Monday night’s game went to overtime. Does that benefit either team?

Let’s dive into the odds and my best bet for this game:

Lakers vs. Grizzlies odds, spread and total

Lakers vs. Grizzlies prediction and pick

The bright side for Grizzlies fans is that the best bet in this game isn’t on the Lakers. I’m not sure that it’s on Memphis either, which is why I’m riding with a play on the total.

Two of the games in this series have gone well under the total for Game 5 at 222, and had Game 4 not gone to overtime, it was well on its way to the UNDER as well. That game finished with 228 combined points, with 20 of those coming in OT.

The Grizzlies were one of the better defensive teams all season, and the Lakers were a top-10 defense following the trade deadline.

These teams have both struggled shooting the ball in this series as well, with the Grizzlies coming in 16th of 16 teams in effective field goal percentage and the Lakers clocking in at 11th.

Game 1, which had 140 combined points, seems to be the anomaly in this series. As long as this game doesn’t go to OT, I love the UNDER.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.