There are a number of intriguing matchups in the first round of this year’s NBA playoffs, and with the large degree of parity across the league, especially in the Western Conference, this could be one of the more competitive postseasons in recent memory.
One of those interesting matchups will have the Los Angeles Lakers taking on the Memphis Grizzlies, a series that will begin on Sunday at noon Pacific time.
This series is rated close to even. Memphis is considered a slight favorite, but in the minds of many, the Lakers have at least a real shot of winning and advancing.
The experts seem somewhat split on who they think will emerge victorious. Here is what some are saying.
Nick Wright, Chris Broussard: Game 1 is a must-win game for the Grizzlies
On Fox Sports 1’s “First Things First,” Wright said he expects Memphis to win Game 1, but he also added that if the Lakers take Game 1, he doesn’t see a way for it to come back and claim the series, leading him to call Game 1 a “must-win” game for Ja Morant and crew.
Broussard, his colleague, agreed (h/t The Cold Wire).
"We've seen teams come back from a deficit. But Game 1 is a nearly a must-win for the Grizzlies."
— @Chris_Broussard explains: pic.twitter.com/H1yrVXg3ff
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) April 13, 2023
Wright recently proclaimed the Lakers will not only get past the first round but win the world championship, so it’s no surprise he has such a high level of belief in LeBron James and crew.
In fact, he pointed to an important stat the Grizzlies must be cognizant of: James’ teams are 27-2 all-time in playoff series where they have won the first game.
Anonymous coach: Grizzlies will win in five because Morant is unguardable for the Lakers
Containing Morant will be job one for the Lakers. He averaged 26.2 points and 8.1 assists a game during the regular season, and he is one of the most explosive players around and possibly the most athletic point guard of all time.
An anonymous coach thinks L.A. will be unable to contain Morant; therefore, he thinks the Grizzlies will take the series in five games.
Via The Athletic:
“The Grizzlies have too much firepower for the Lakers. Ja Morant, I don’t know if there’s anyone on that Lakers team that can guard him. He’s unguardable. And this is their time. This is what they’ve been waiting for all year long, the Grizzlies. … (The Lakers will win a game) only because of Anthony Davis. The Grizzlies are going to have a hard time, without Steven Adams, guarding Anthony Davis. We’ll see which Anthony Davis shows up, too.”
In his first game versus the Lakers this season, Morant shot just 9-of-29 in a one-point loss, but in his second matchup against them, he went off for 39 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 121-109 victory.
Anonymous scout: The absence of Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke tip the scales in L.A.'s favor
Memphis will be at somewhat of a disadvantage in this series, as it will be without Adams, their starting center who has a knee injury, and Clarke, a key reserve forward.
Without two of their best frontcourt rebounders and defenders, the Grizzlies could be hard-pressed to prevent James and Anthony Davis from having big games.
An anonymous scout thinks that for that reason, James and the Lakers may have a slight advantage.
Via The Athletic:
“Memphis doesn’t have Brandon Clarke. … I think it’s kind of an even series. Because of the LeBron factor and the Davis factor, I don’t think the home court is going to matter that much, and there’s no Steven Adams, either. The Grizzlies are playing Xavier Tillman. Tillman’s been their starting five for the last quarter of the season, so they’re depleted. You might even give the Lakers the edge there, especially if they take one in Memphis. … I think missing Clarke and Adams is big for Memphis even though Jaren Jackson Jr. did lead the league in shot-blocking and Tillman’s been more than adequate as a starter. When push comes to shove, I’m going to pick LeBron James.”
As a result, this scout is picking L.A. in six games.
JJ Redick and Stephen A. Smith seem split
Former NBA sharpshooter JJ Redick and ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith pointed out the Lakers’ troubles hitting from the outside in their play-in tournament game versus the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday and how it could be a problem for them moving forward.
But according to Redick, the Grizzlies struggle to score in a half-court setting. As a result, he thinks if the Lakers don’t turn the ball over that much, they will have a real chance of winning the series.
However, Smith disagreed, saying that with Morant, Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks, Memphis will be able to put up enough points.
The Lakers transformed into a very good defensive team after the trade deadline, and they absolutely locked down the Timberwolves down the stretch of Tuesday’s contest, holding them to 16 points in the fourth quarter and overtime combined.
But Memphis is also a very good defensive unit; it ranked second in defensive rating during the regular season, so this series could be a slugfest at times.
