Lakers vs Grizzlies Preview and Game Thread: A revenge game

The Lakers look to sweep their three-game home stand as they face the Grizzlies on Wednesday.

The Lakers look to bounce back on Wednesday against the same Memphis Grizzlies team that took their lunch money last week. The purple and gold aim to stay undefeated on their home floor.

Start time and TV schedule

Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies

When: 7 p.m. PT, Nov 13

Where: Crypto.com Arena

Watch: Spectrum SportsNet

One of the reasons why the Lakers had an awful five-game road trip before this current home stand of theirs was because they were embarrassed by the Grizzlies in more ways than one.

No, I’m not talking about Ja Morant and all the gloating he seemed to be doing postgame but rather, how this Memphis team — sans Marcus Marcus and Desmond Bane— blew out the Lakers without Anthony Davis and Rui Hachimura. Given the injuries in this one on both sides, it was hard to take away much from that game aside from one thing: L.A. will be better when they play Memphis again on Wednesday.

This time, AD and Hachimura will be in the lineup, so that alone should boost their chances. Plus, the Lakers are at home coming off two days of rest instead of being on the last leg of their road trip in the last meeting.

That said, the Grizzlies are still a tough matchup and here’s what will determine the outcome of this rematch:

Can D’Angelo Russell be way more productive this time?

Remember, JJ Redick made the significant adjustment of replacing Russell on the starting lineup for Cam Reddish after their previous game against Memphis. Russell, who played just 22 minutes in the last Grizzlies game, had a terrible night, especially on the defensive end. If D’Lo plays tomorrow — he’s currently listed as probable due to an illness — then this is the perfect opportunity for him to bounce back.

I mention D’Lo here because there’s no excuse for the Lakers to lose to the Grizzlies’ guard rotation again — especially with Ja Morant not expected to suit up in this one. Russell, alongside Austin Reaves, Cam Reddish and Gabe Vincent, need to win this battle against Scotty Pippen Jr., Jaylen Wells and Luke Kennard, who outplayed them last game.

Battle on the frontcourt

Like I said in my last preview against the Grizzlies, they’re a tough matchup because they have enforcers on their frontcourt who can give L.A. a tough time. There’s no doubt that the addition of AD back in the lineup alone automatically gives the Lakers an advantage in this matchup, but this one’s not going to be a walk in the park for him. As we saw last game, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey were very impactful for the Grizzlies.

It would be ideal if the Lakers don’t give up 60 points in the paint this time around. The same goes for giving up 50 rebounds and 15-second chance opportunities. There’s no doubt that the Griz will get out and run again as that not only successfully worked for them last game, but they’re the best in the league at it.

It also would be nice if the Lakers shot better than 31.3% from the 3-point line, as this really contributed to the loss last game. That was also the same match where the Griz shot 50% from the perimeter, which can’t happen again.

Someone other than James — who put up 39 points — needs to step up and, given how Austin Reaves and AD have been playing, they likely will. But it starts with the Lakers converting their shots.

The Grizzlies have the tools to beat the Lakers because they can expose their weaknesses. But L.A. should be able to counter and that starts with their effort on the defensive end, at the glass and of not succumbing to the Grizzlies’ game plan.

Let’s see if the Lakers can avenge their recent last loss to the Grizzlies on Wednesday before returning to the road again.

Notes and Updates

• For the Lakers’ injury report, Anthony Davis (left plantar fasciitis) is listed as probable but is expected to play as he clarified that he’s fine after hurting his eye last game. D’Angelo Russell (illness) is on the report as well as probable. Jaxson Haynes is questionable because of a right ankle sprain.
• As expected, Jarred Vanderbilt (right foot surgery recovery) and Christian Wood (left knee surgery recovery) remain out as well as Jalen Hood-Schifino (left groin soreness).
• Meanwhile for the Grizzlies, Desmond Bane (right oblique strain), Ja Morant (right hip), GG Jackson (right fifth metatarsal) are out. A noteworthy update, though, is that Brandon Clarke (left toe soreness) and Marcus Smart (right ankle sprain) are noted as questionable.
• We will be live on Playback for this game, so be sure to join us!

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.