LeBron James is officially back and the Los Angeles Lakers are thriving because of it. They have won three of their last four games and are coming into this matchup with momentum.

As for the Memphis Grizzlies, they saw a five-game winning streak disappear after losing to the Dallas Mavericks in their latest outing. However, that streak was a lot more impressive due to the fact they were missing Ja Morant during that stretch. Can Memphis keep on pushing forward without their best player or will James and the Lakers hand them a second straight loss?

Lakers vs. Grizzlies NBA Betting Odds

The Lakers are 9-19 ATS in their last 28 games overall and 4-11 ATS in their past 15 matchups when going against a team with a home winning percentage of .600 on the road. Thursday hasn’t been great to them either, they have lost five of their last six against the spread on that day of the week. Luckily, the under has been consistent when these two squads meet up, cashing out the last seven meetings between them.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are 5-0 ATS in their last five games overall and 4-1 ATS when going up against a team with a winning straight up record. The over is 6-0 in their past six games on top of that when playing at home. Memphis seems to know how to beat the Lakers against the spread, with a 4-1 ATS record in the last five matches with them while playing at home.

Los Angeles Lakers

James clearly hasn’t needed much time to get his legs back under him as he has been dominating since returning from injury. In his last five games, he’s averaging 31.0 points per game and has been the catalyst to this team’s success. Add in the dynamic Anthony Davis and a lightning-fast Russell Westbrook, and the Lakers are incredibly difficult to take down – even on a bad night.

The key to the Lakers recent success has been defense. They’re allowing just 104.8 over their last four contests, which is a deviation from the 113.0 per game they’ve allowed all season (second-worst in the NBA). If they can tighten up on the Grizzlies – especially with Morant out – they’ll earn another win.

Memphis Grizzlies

The absence of Morant leaves a big hole in offensive production for this Memphis squad. It also doesn’t help that Kyle Anderson and Brandon Clarke both missed their last game and are questionable for this one. It’s safe to say that this team will be a little short-handed against arguably one of the most talented teams in the Western Conference.

The emergence of Desmond Bane has been tremendous for the Grizzlies, though. He averages 16.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and two assists per game and will have to have a big game if the Grizzlies are to hang around.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Grizzlies?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Lakers Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 30.27
Assists	Russell Westbrook 7.05
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 9.85
FG%	Jemerrio Jones 66.7
Steals	Sekou Doumbouya 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.25

MEM

Points	Ja Morant 27.44
Assists	Ja Morant 6.74
Rebounds	Steven Adams 10
FG%	Tyrell Terry 100
Steals	De'Anthony Melton 1.42
Blocks	Jaren Jackson Jr. 2.27

LAL

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

MEM

Points	Ja Morant 27.11
Assists	Ja Morant 9.78
Rebounds	Ja Morant 8
FG%	Xavier Tillman 72
Steals	Ja Morant 2
Blocks	Jaren Jackson Jr. 2.5

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Grizzlies Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 30.27
Assists	Russell Westbrook 7.05
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 9.85
FG%	Jemerrio Jones 66.7
Steals	Sekou Doumbouya 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.25

MEM

Points	Ja Morant 27.44
Assists	Ja Morant 6.74
Rebounds	Steven Adams 10
FG%	Tyrell Terry 100
Steals	De'Anthony Melton 1.42
Blocks	Jaren Jackson Jr. 2.27

LAL

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

MEM

Points	Ja Morant 27.11
Assists	Ja Morant 9.78
Rebounds	Ja Morant 8
FG%	Xavier Tillman 72
Steals	Ja Morant 2
Blocks	Jaren Jackson Jr. 2.5

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

Talen Horton-Tucker (SG)

day-to-day Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22

Dwight Howard (C)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Carmelo Anthony (SF)

Out Sun Illness - 07 / 04 / 22

Anthony Davis (PF)

Out Sun Foot - 06 / 04 / 22

Russell Westbrook (PG)

Out Sun Shoulder - 06 / 04 / 22

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Tues Foot - 04 / 04 / 22

Wenyen Gabriel (SF)

Prob Sun Ankle - 03 / 04 / 22

Anthony Davis (PF)

Prob Sun Foot - 02 / 04 / 22

Carmelo Anthony (SF)

Prob Sun Illness - 01 / 04 / 22

Wenyen Gabriel (SF)

Ques Fri Ankle - 01 / 04 / 22

Memphis

Dillon Brooks (SG)

Elig Mon Suspension - 04 / 05 / 22

Steven Adams (C)

Prob Sat Conditioning - 28 / 04 / 22

Ziaire Williams (SF)

Prob Tues Knee - 26 / 04 / 22

Dillon Brooks (SG)

Ques Sat Foot - 22 / 04 / 22

Santi Aldama (PF)

Out indefinitely Knee - 18 / 04 / 22

Dillon Brooks (SG)

Out Sun Hip - 10 / 04 / 22

Brandon Clarke (PF)

Prob Sun Thigh - 10 / 04 / 22

Jaren Jackson Jr. (PF)

Out Sun Thigh - 10 / 04 / 22

Tyus Jones (PG)

Out Sun Hand - 10 / 04 / 22

Steven Adams (C)

Out Sun Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Talen Horton-Tucker (SG)	day-to-day	Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Horton-Tucker exited Sunday's game with a left ankle sprain, and he will not return.
Dwight Howard (C)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Howard will not take the court for Sunday's contest versus the Nuggets as he will be given a day of rest.
Carmelo Anthony (SF)	Out Sun	Illness - 07 / 04 / 22	2-1	1-2	+ -
Anthony has been absent from the lineup during the past two games with a non-COVID-19 illness, and he will not play Sunday versus the Nuggets.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Out Sun	Foot - 06 / 04 / 22	2-2	2-2	+ -
Davis has been held out of the previous two games with a right mid-foot sprain, and he will not suit up against the Nuggets on Sunday.
Russell Westbrook (PG)	Out Sun	Shoulder - 06 / 04 / 22	2-2	2-2	+ -
Westbrook has missed his second-straight game with a sore right shoulder, and he will not be active against the Nuggets on Sunday.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Tues	Foot - 04 / 04 / 22	2-2	2-2	+ -
Davis is dealing with a right mid-foot sprain, but it is projected that he will line up for Tuesday's clash versus the Suns.
Wenyen Gabriel (SF)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 03 / 04 / 22	2-3	2-3	+ -
Gabriel is tending to a left ankle sprain, but he is projected to partake in Sunday's matchup with the Nuggets.
Anthony Davis (PF)	Prob Sun	Foot - 02 / 04 / 22	3-3	3-3	+ -
Davis is dealing with a right mid-foot sprain, but it is projected that he will line up for Sunday's clash versus the Nuggets.
Carmelo Anthony (SF)	Prob Sun	Illness - 01 / 04 / 22	3-4	4-3	+ -
Anthony missed the previous game with a non-COVID illness, but it is expected that he will suit up Sunday against the Nuggets.
Wenyen Gabriel (SF)	Ques Fri	Ankle - 01 / 04 / 22	3-4	4-3	+ -
Gabriel is dealing with a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will dress for Friday's matchup with the Pelicans.

Memphis

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Dillon Brooks (SG)	Elig Mon	Suspension - 04 / 05 / 22	4-1	3-2	+ -
Brooks is serving a one-game suspension for a Flagrant 2 foul, and he is eligible to return for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals versus the Warriors.
Steven Adams (C)	Prob Sat	Conditioning - 28 / 04 / 22	5-2	3-4	+ -
Adams has completed the NBA's health and safety protocols, and he is expected to suit up for Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals versus the Warriors.
Ziaire Williams (SF)	Prob Tues	Knee - 26 / 04 / 22	5-3	4-4	+ -
Williams is dealing with right knee soreness, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals versus the Warriors.
Dillon Brooks (SG)	Ques Sat	Foot - 22 / 04 / 22	6-3	4-5	+ -
Brooks is tending to a sore left foot, and it is up in the air if he will battle the Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference first round.
Santi Aldama (PF)	Out indefinitely	Knee - 18 / 04 / 22	7-4	5-6	+ -
Aldama is out of commission with soreness in his right knee, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Dillon Brooks (SG)	Out Sun	Hip - 10 / 04 / 22	8-5	7-6	+ -
Brooks is nursing soreness in his right hip, and he will not play against the Celtics on Sunday.
Brandon Clarke (PF)	Prob Sun	Thigh - 10 / 04 / 22	8-5	7-6	+ -
Clarke is battling a right thigh contusion, but it is likely that he will face the Celtics on Sunday.
Jaren Jackson Jr. (PF)	Out Sun	Thigh - 10 / 04 / 22	8-5	7-6	+ -
Jackson Jr. is hindered by left thigh tightness, and he will not take on the Celtics on Sunday.
Tyus Jones (PG)	Out Sun	Hand - 10 / 04 / 22	8-5	7-6	+ -
Jones has a hand injury, and he will not be active against the Celtics on Sunday.
Steven Adams (C)	Out Sun	Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22	8-5	7-6	+ -
Adams is bothered by left ankle soreness, and he will not be available for Sunday's showdown with the Celtics.