Apr 19, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) dribbles as Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) defends during the second half during game two of the 2023 NBA playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
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The Los Angeles Lakers were unable to finish off the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 5 of their series on Wednesday night, struggling on offense in a 116-99 loss.
Los Angeles shot just 40.2 percent from the field and 25.6 percent from beyond the arc. LeBron James was held to just 15 points in the game, his lowest of the postseason.
With the Grizzlies forcing a Game 6 in Los Angeles, the team seems confident that it can force a Game 7 after being down 3-1 in the series.
“We’ll come back for Game 7 for sure!” – Xavier Tillman 👀 (Via @DamichaelC) pic.twitter.com/nAPRp0Sv7x — NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 27, 2023
The Lakers won both games at Crypto.com Arena in this series, and a third straight would set up a date in the second round with the Sacramento Kings or Golden State Warriors.
Here are the latest odds and a best bet for Game 6 of the Lakers-Grizzlies series:
Grizzlies vs. Lakers odds, spread and total
Grizzlies vs. Lakers prediction and pick
There’s one trend in the Lakers’ favor in this game, and it’s the Grizzlies record as road underdogs.
Memphis, who went 16-25 straight up on the road, is a league worst 2-14 against the spread as a road underdog this season. The team failed to cover in both games in the playoffs against Los Angeles as well.
I can’t see James having another bad game, and the Lakers did get 31 points from Anthony Davis in Game 5, a sign that he’s turning things around as a scorer.
Even though Memphis won Game 5, the team hit an uncharacteristic 14 3-pointers on 40 attempts. In the regular season, the Grizzlies averaged 12.0 3s per game while shooting 34.2 percent from 3.
If the Lakers lose this game, they set up a tough road environment for a Game 7. I’ll back Los Angeles to close it out on Friday night.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.