It will be a battle of what looks to be two very dangerous NBA playoff teams when the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers square off in this Western Conference battle.
The Lakers are rejuvenated after the trade deadline and are looking to prove to the league that they are still championship contenders. On the other side of the court are the Grizzlies, who are incredibly dangerous, but need to prove that they must be taken seriously.
These are two good teams with a lot to prove on the court, which should lead to one great game.
Where: STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, Calif.
When: Sunday March, 25 at 10:30 p.m. EST
Watch: ESPN
Listen: FM 92.9 ESPN, AM 680 ESPN Memphis; 710 ESPN, 1330 ESPN Deportes Los Angeles
Betting Line: Check Bovada.lv closer to game time.
Key Injuries (via USA Today):
Grizzlies: No new injuries to report.
Lakers: Guard Christian Eyenga out indefinitely (toe).
What They’re Saying
Before the Grizzlies take on the Lakers, they have to face the other basketball team in L.A., the Clippers. The Sports Network via Foxnews.com writes on how big of a matchup this if for both teams, as they are both playing for playoff position in the Western Conference.
Mark Lamport-Stokes of Rueters via Chicagotribune.com writes on newly acquired point guard Ramon Sessions and the impact that he’s had on this team. Not only does he add a new spark to this offense, but his offensive presence allows Kobe Bryant to focus on scoring.
Most Important Player to Watch
Now that Sessions is helping run the offense, Kobe really does have a lot more freedom to just focus on his offensive game. This is a huge difference with this Lakers team post-trade deadline, and it makes them extremely dangerous.
Anytime Kobe is on the floor, he is the player you have to watch, but now he really has the opportunity to light it up.
Key Matchup
The battle down low is always going to be important, and this game features somewhat of a brotherly rivalry. The Gasol brothers, Pau of the Lakers and Marc of the Grizzlies, will be the key matchup of this game.
If Pau can play at a high level, it will force the Grizzlies defenders to key in on him, and that will allow Andrew Bynum a lot more space to operate in.
Prediction
I really like the new-look Lakers, and they are becoming very dangerous. The Grizzlies will fight, but it won’t be enough.
Lakers 92, Grizzlies 85
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