The Los Angeles Lakers are running out of chances to make the postseason with only 23 games left on their schedule, but they get one of their easiest road games of the season tonight when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.
After starting the season with a strong six weeks, the Grizzlies went into a freefall that led to trading franchise pillar Marc Gasol to the Toronto Raptors, as well as veterans JaMychal Green and Garrett Temple to the Clippers.
Veteran point guard Mike Conley is still running the show for the Grizzlies, but the main attraction for the Grizz these days is rookie forward Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jackson was huge for the Grizzlies in a December 23 win over the Lakers in L.A., finishing with 27 points and nine rebounds. Considering how the Lakers were dominated in the middle by the New Orleans understudies, a matchup against Jackson and Jonas Valanciunas could once again expose their weakness inside.
The Lakers caught a break on Sunday as the LA Clippers and San Antonio Spurs last night, but they can only count on so many breaks with so little time left to get into the playoffs.
Although the Grizzlies have only accumulated five wins in the new year, tonight’s showdown against LeBron and the Lakers gives them a great opportunity to play spoiler.
