Guide, odds, predictions and more

On Wednesday night, the 7-4 Memphis Grizzlies head to Crypto.com Arena to take on the 6-4 Los Angeles Lakers.

In the previous meeting between the two clubs last week, the Grizzlies defeated Los Angeles 131-114 at the FedEx Forum. Three Grizzlies players scored 20 or more points. All-NBA Memphis superstar point guard Ja Morant left the contest in the third quarter with a hip injury. It has been on the shelf ever since and will be again this evening. Memphis has won the last two contests without Morant while displaying a strong offense (the team has averaged 131 points in those contests).

“Regardless of our lineup, I want (Jackson) to still maintain the mentality of being the primary attacker for us and it’s up to me to make sure he feels included,” noted Memphis head coach Taylor Jenkins. about his “next attack.” Man up” approach to all these increasing absences, according to NBA.com/Field Level Media.

The action begins at 7:00 p.m. PT and can be watched nationally on ESPN and locally on Spectrum SportsNet and its streaming partner Spectrum SportsNet+.

According to sports betting aggregator Bryan Fonseca of The Action Network, Los Angeles is the favorite to win at home by 6.5 points. Fonseca adds that the Lakers are the only club to perform perfectly at home this year compared to their pregame lead (5-0). The Grizzlies are currently just 2-3 in away games.

Expect Los Angeles to win against the depleted Grizzlies and improve their early season start to a 6-0 home record against the Grizzlies. Let’s call the official prediction 120-110 Lakers.

All three of the Grizzlies’ normal perimeter starters may be on the shelf tonight. Small forward Marcus Smart is a game-changer.

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