Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Lakers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/23/2018

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Staples Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Memphis Grizzlies head to Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, December 23, 2018. The opening line for this game has Los Angeles as 6.5 point favorites.

The Grizzlies have a record of 16-16. They are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of -0.5 as they average 101.8 points per game while giving up 102.3 per contest. The Lakers have an overall record of 19-13 this season. They are 2nd in the Pacific Division. They average 113.3 points per game and surrender 111.4, good for a point differential of 1.8.

Valuable Memphis Grizzlies Betting Trends

The Memphis Grizzlies are 16-16-0 against the spread this season

The Memphis Grizzlies are 12-19-0 against the over/under this year

Important Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 13-18-1 against the spread this season

The Los Angeles Lakers are 13-19-0 against the over/under this year

Key Memphis Grizzlies Injuries

12/21/18 C Joakim Noah Heel is questionable Sunday vs LA Lakers
11/23/18 G Dillon Brooks Knee is out indefinitely
10/27/18 SF Chandler Parsons Knee is out indefinitely

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/21/18 C JaVale McGee Flu is questionable Sunday vs Memphis
12/16/18 SF Michael Beasley Personal is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Marc Gasol averages 16.1 points per contest in 34.6 minutes per game this year. He averages 4.2 assists per game and 8.6 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% for the season while his free throw percentage is 77%. Mike Conley comes into this game averaging 20.6 points per contest while playing 34.1 minutes per night. He grabs 3.5 rebounds per contest and distributes 6.5 assists per game. His FG percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Player Spotlight

Kyle Kuzma averages 18.3 points per game and he sees the court an average of 32.3 minutes per game. He also hauls in 5.7 rebounds per game and dishes 2.2 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 78%. LeBron James scores 27.8 points per contest while playing 35.0 minutes per game. He hauls in 8.0 rebounds per contest and has 7.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is at 68%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Grizzlies allow 102.3 points per contest which is 2nd in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 5th and 21st in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 44.7 rebounds a game which ranks 17th, and they allow 22.7 assists per game which puts them in 7th place in the league. They force 15.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Memphis averages 101.8 points per contest, which is 29th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -0.5 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 18th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 16th in the NBA. They average 39.6 boards per contest and 23.1 assists per game, which ranks them 30th and 20th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 24th with 13.0 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Lakers give up 111.4 points per game, which ranks them 20th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 11th and 13th in those defensive statistics. They rank 14th with 23.8 dimes allowed per game and 26th with 46.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Lakers are 18th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.4 per contest. Los Angeles is 8th in the NBA with 113.3 points per contest this season. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 1.8. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 20th in the league. They are 9th in the NBA in rebounding with 46.2 boards per contest and 16th in assists per game with 24.3. The Lakers are 5th in turnovers per contest with 15.2.

Advanced Statistics

The Grizzlies are 26th in the league in defensive rating with 106.8, and their offensive rating of 106.3 is ranked 7th. They are 30th in the NBA in pace with 94.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 20th. As a unit they are 20th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 20th in the NBA. Memphis is 17th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 19th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 8th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 21st in the NBA. The Lakers are 18th in the league in defensive rating with 107.9, and their offensive rating of 109.7 is ranked 9th. They are 3rd in the NBA in pace with 102.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 4th. As a unit they are 12th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 17th in the NBA.

So what is Tonights Parlay prediction?

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Los Angeles -6.5 and under 207.5 total points

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