Steve Starr
- Go to BetOnline or Bovada for the latest odds on the Grizzlies vs Lakers matchup
- Ja Morant’s status for Game 2 is cloudy but the 23-year-old will likely play through his hand injury
- TNT airs Game 2 from FedEx Forum in Memphis on Wednesday, April 19 at 7:30pm ET
The Lakers’ supporting cast stole the show in Sunday’s 128-112 Game 1 victory. Not only did the Grizzlies lose home-court advantage. Superstar Ja Morant left the game in the fourth quarter with a hand injury.
Memphis enjoyed the best home record in the NBA this season at 35-6 and they’ll need their best effort on Wednesday to even the best-of-seven series before heading to Hollywood. Before we look at the latest odds, check out the latest 2023 NBA Playoff Betting Odds and our guide to betting on NBA basketball.
Grizzlies vs Lakers – Game 2
 | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +2.0 (-115) | +105 | Ov 228 (-110) |
| Memphis Grizzlies | -2.0 (-105) | -125 | Un 228 (-110) |
LeBron gives credit to teammates
LeBron James scored 21 points with 11 rebounds and 5 assists in Game 1 and Anthony Davis added 22 points and 12 boards. However, it was the Lakers’ role players who stole the show and seized home-court advantage from Memphis. Rui Hachimura tallied 29 points with five 2-pointers in his playoff debut and Austin Reaves had 14 of his 23 points in the fourth-quarter.
“It was our supporting cast that won us the game,” said James. The Purple & Gold is now 20-8 since the trade deadline even though LeBron missed many of those games. In a Western Conference where every team has its warts, Los Angeles suddenly looks capable of making a run to the NBA Finals.
This postseason marks LeBron James' 16th appearance in the playoffs. However, this is the first time he is an underdog in the first round of the #NBAPlayoffs #LakeShowhttps://t.co/bIHOHQF4By pic.twitter.com/YG7KmjqPGV
— Tipico Sportsbook (@tipico) April 16, 2023
Ja’s status for Game 2
Ja Morant’s roller-coaster season continues. The star guard’s status for Game 2 is “in jeopardy” after he injured his right hand in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game. While he says he’s “in a good bit of pain,” Morant will likely suit up on Wednesday given his team is already in a 0-1 hole.
Despite losing Game 1 at home by 16 points, all is not lost for Taylor Jenkins’ club. Memphis was leading 101-100 with just over eight minutes left in the contest. The Grizzlies also had a league-best 35-6 home record, so they’re certainly capable of rebounding on Wednesday.
Memphis vs Los Angeles
Memphis is a 2-point home favorite on Wednesday night, suggesting that oddsmakers believe Morant will play. Jaren Jackson, who put up 31 points in Game 1, is pretty confident in his teammate’s availability as well, saying: “At the end of the day, he feels fine. He feels fine. He’ll push through anything. He’s just going to tell y’all something good.”
Morant averaged 26.2 points and 8.1 assists in 2022-23. When he left Sunday’s matchup, he had just 18 points and 2 assists with 6 turnovers, so the All-Star guard must be better in this one. The Grizzlies posted a 23-18-1 record against the spread in FedEx Forum this year.
Ja Morant talked about the pain he was experiencing in his hand after the loss to the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/2NEovrPSGy
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 17, 2023
Best Bet
Oddsmakers have made Lakers in 6 (+285) the favorite following Sunday’s win, but the sweep is viewed as a distinct possibility, sharing the same odds as Grizzlies in 7 (+425).
Even though it has only been one game, this series already feels over. Take Los Angeles (+105) to win outright in Game 2 and sprinkle a bit on the Lakers in 4 (+425).
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
