2023 Western Conference First-Round Preview: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers

2023 Western Conference First-Round Preview: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The 2023 First Round matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Lakers tips-off Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC.

This was not an expected first-round matchup in the West as a Lakers team led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis should be higher than a seventh seed. However, it was a rough season between injuries and a lot of roster changes for Los Angeles. The Lakers’ new team following the trade deadline has looked impressive, closing the season on a nice win streak.

It was not the easiest season for the Memphis Grizzlies either, as there was a fair amount of drama throughout their 82 games. Ja Morant was suspended but nevertheless, they finished as the second seed in the West.

The Lakers won the regular season series 2-1 and they won both their home games. These were competitive games for the most part with one of the games being decided by one point. Los Angeles took the last meeting between the two teams after a 30-point 22 rebound master class from Davis but that game had no James or Morant. These teams have not faced each other in the playoffs recently, so NBA fans are in for a treat this year. 

What to know about the Memphis Grizzlies:

Starters:

G: Ja Morant

G: Desmond Bane 

G: Luke Kennard

F: Dillon Brooks

F: Jaren Jackson Jr.

Other players in playoff rotation:

G: Tyus Jones

F: Xavier Tillman

F: Santi Aldama

G: John Konchar

The Memphis Grizzlies are led by their young core of Morant, Bane and Jackson. Morant averaged 26.2 points, 8.1 assists and 5.9 rebounds while Bane averaged 21.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game this season. Jackson added 18.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest, while being in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year. 

The Grizzlies are a tough team that knows how to grind out games. They have a full rotation filled with multiple 10-point scorers. They are the 2-seed for a reason and they could very well prove that in the postseason.

What to know about the Los Angeles Lakers

Starters 

G: D’Angelo Russell

G: Austin Reaves

F: LeBron James

F: Jarred Vanderbilt 

F: Anthony Davis

Other Players in Rotation:

G: Dennis Schröder

F: Rui Hachimura

G: Malik Beasley

F: Troy Brown Jr.

The Lakers had a lot of problems throughout the season hence why they are the 7-seed. However, they are a new-look squad after the trade deadline. Davis has been playing extremely well in March and April, too.

It is hard to judge the Lakers because it has truly been a different team since the All-Star break. I’m curious was this a new team that is really that good or were they a different look that happened to win some regular season games? I guess we will see in the first round.

Questions:

1.) What Anthony Davis is showing up?

LeBron James will have an undeniably huge impact on the outcomes of this series. However, Anthony Davis was the best player throughout the 2020 Playoffs — before the Finals — and he was imperative in securing the “bubble ring.” The Lakers will need him in this series.

Davis is averaging 26.3 points and 12.7 rebounds on 58.2% shooting in his last 10 games. That is not someone the Grizzlies want to see in the playoffs, especially with center Steven Adams likely missing the rest of the postseason. Davis had 30 points and 22 rebounds in the last matchup, which could be a precursor to the whole series.

2.) Ja Morant…

I’m not sure if it is fair to put this series completely on Ja Morant, but, they say he is one of the best guards in the league, so please show it. The Grizzlies have not been to the Conference Finals with Morant as the lead dog. He has not necessarily had the teams to make a run, but this squad is the best he has had in his young career, so it could be the year. He is a dynamic guard who is must-see television. Morant is very capable of leading the Grizzlies in bouncing the Lakers in the first round and it would be a great feather in his cap to beat LeBron.

3.) How are the new Lakers?

After the moves made at the trade deadline, there is no doubt this is a new Lakers squad. They surrounded LeBron with more shooters, which is a recipe for success as we have seen multiple times in the past. Malik Beasley is shooting 38.1% from beyond the arc, Jarred Vanderbilt is shooting 46.2% from deep and D’Angelo Russell, who is a stud in his own right, is shooting 46.3% from distance in the Lakers’ last 10 games.

It would seem Los Angeles made the right changes as they fought their way back into playoff positioning to end the season. Surrounding LeBron with shooters was a solid recipe for the Lakers in the bubble season, but will it work again? I know it’s LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but can the 2023 Lakers hit outside shots at the rate they did in the 2020 playoffs?

Prediction: Memphis in 6

I am going to stick with the 2-seed on this one. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are a scary first-round matchup for any team, but I don’t think they will both be able to carry the Lakers past the Grizzlies. Memphis has the better roster and team chemistry and I think that can propel them to a series win. It is time for Ja Morant to prove himself in the postseason and a first-round win against the Lakers would certainly help his case as a top player in the league.

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