How To Watch NBA Playoffs First-Round: Lakers at Grizzlies Game 2
The 2022-23 NBA regular season has come to an end and with the Play-In Tournament coming to an end, it is officially time for the playoffs to begin!
On Wednesday night, the first-round series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies will continue, as the two teams will meet in Memphis for Game 2.
Playing their best basketball of the entire year, the Lakers pulled off the upset in Game 1 on the road and now, they have a chance to really put the 2-seeded Grizzlies in a hole!
LeBron James had 21 points and Anthony Davis had 22 points in the first game on Sunday, but the story of this series early on for Los Angeles revolves around Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, who combined for 52 points in Game 1.
Hachimura had his best game in a Lakers’ uniform and Reaves put on yet another showing, proving to everyone that he is the real deal and about to see some serious cash in the offseason when his contract is up!
For the Grizzlies, a much bigger storyline came out of the first meeting between these two teams, as superstar guard Ja Morant left the game early due to a right hand injury.
Going up for a layup, Morant hit the ground hard and landed straight on his right hand. The Grizzlies point guard was in immediate pain and was forced to leave the game in the fourth quarter.
Imaging and testing done came back clean, which is good news for Memphis, but Ja Morant still remains questionable for Game 2 and it is said that he will be a true “game-time decision.”
Will LeBron and the Lakers take a 2-0 series lead heading to Los Angeles or will the Grizzlies be able to overcome yet another injury and even the series?
Here's how to watch Wednesday’s game, with game time and TV, lineups, bios and other must-know details.
How to watch Lakers vs. Grizzlies
WHO: Los Angeles Lakers (1-0) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (0-1)
WHAT: 2023 NBA Western Conference Playoffs: First-Round, Game 2
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, April 19
WHERE: FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee
TV: TNT
Key Stats & Facts For Lakers vs. Grizzlies
- The Lakers and Grizzlies faced off three times during the regular season with the Lakers winning two of the three games played, however, the Grizzlies outscored Los Angeles by 2 points.
- The Grizzlies finished the regular season ranking 15th in offensive rating and 2nd in defensive rating, while the Lakers finished the regular season ranking 20th in offensive rating and 11th in defensive rating.
- Memphis is 35-7 at home this season and Los Angeles is 21-21 on the road, including postseason games.
What Happened In Game 1?
April 16, 2023 - Lakers 128, Grizzlies 112
Austin Reaves scored 23 points on 8-13 shooting, 3-5 from three-point range, and Rui Hachimura came off-the-bench for the Lakers and supplied them with 29 points on 11-14 shooting, 5-9 from three-point range. Between these two combining for 52 points and Anthony Davis and LeBron James combining for 43 points, Los Angeles had all of the output they needed on the offensive-end of the floor to pull off the upset victory in Game 1. Jaren Jackson Jr. continued his stellar All-Star campaign with 31 points, five rebounds and two blocks, but Ja Morant’s hand injury could wind up costing Memphis a chance at winning this series.
Latest Injury News:
Lakers Injuries: Dennis Schroder (Achilles) - Probable, LeBron James (foot) - Probable, Anthony Davis (foot) - Probable
Grizzlies Injuries: Steven Adams (knee) - Out, Brandon Clarke (Achilles) - Out, Jake LaRavia (calf) - Out, Ja Morant (hand) - Questionable
Projected Starters:
PROJECTED LAKERS STARTERS:
- G D’Angelo Russell, 6-4 guard: 17.4 points, 6.1 assists (2022-23 regular season stats)
- G Austin Reaves, 6-5 guard: 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists
- F LeBron James (P), 6-9 forward, 6-7 forward: 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists
- F Jarred Vanderbilt, 6-9 forward: 7.2 points, 6.7 rebounds
- F/C Anthony Davis (P), 6-10 forward/center: 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds
PROJECTED GRIZZLIES STARTERS:
- G Ja Morant (Q), 6-3 guard: 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 8.1 assists
- G Desmond Bane, 6-5 guard: 21.5 points, 5.0 rebounds
- F Dillon Brooks, 6-8 forward, 6-7 forward: 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds
- F Jaren Jackson Jr., 6-11 forward: 18.6 points, 6.8 rebounds
- C Xavier Tillman Sr., 6-8 center: 7.0 points, 5.0 rebounds
Betting Odds:
- The Grizzlies are currently 3.5-point favorites over the Lakers as of Wednesday morning, according to SI Sportsbook.
- The over/under for this matchup is currently set at 226.5 total points.
What to watch for:
- The Memphis Grizzlies are back in the postseason for the third consecutive season after making the Western Conference Semifinals a season ago.
- The Los Angeles Lakers are back in the postseason for the first time since 2021. They won the 2020 NBA Finals.
- Memphis is 46-12 this season when they score at least 110 points. Los Angeles is 42-21 this season when they score at least 110 points, including postseason games.
- The Grizzlies and Lakers have never met in the playoffs before this season.
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