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Grizzlies vs Lakers Picks and Predictions – January 4, 2026
The Memphis Grizzlies head to Crypto.com Arena to face the Los Angeles Lakers in a Sunday night Western Conference showdown. Tipoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET on January 4, 2026. L.A. is fighting to solidify a mid-tier playoff seed, while Memphis continues to spiral, struggling to find stability post-Ja Morant.
The Lakers are favored by 6.5 points with a total of 237.5. That high number signals pace and shot volume—but also defensive concerns on both sides. The Grizzlies enter as +200 underdogs, still missing key contributors. Let’s break it all down and find the best betting angle.
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Grizzlies vs Lakers Odds
Here are the latest lines ahead of tipoff. Stay updated with movement and injury news on the latest NBA odds.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzlies | +200 | +6.5 (-112) | O 237.5 (-110) |
| Lakers | -239 | -6.5 (-109) | U 237.5 (-110) |
Grizzlies Betting Form
Memphis is hurting—on the court and on the betting slips. Since Ja Morant’s injury relapse, they’ve slipped to bottom-five in offensive efficiency. They rely heavily on Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., but teams are keying in and forcing tough looks. The three-point volume is there, but efficiency isn’t. They’ve now failed to cover in four of their last five, often getting run off the floor early.
The Grizzlies are also losing the rebounding battle and generating very few second-chance points. That’s a killer against bigger teams like the Lakers. And while their defense can still flash upside in the halfcourt, the transition numbers are ugly. They struggle when the game speeds up—exactly what L.A. wants.
For lineup clarity and any surprise scratches, check the Grizzlies injury report.
Lakers Betting Form
The Lakers are… trending up? Maybe. They’ve won 7 of their last 10 at home and covered in five of them. Anthony Davis is anchoring the paint well, and LeBron continues to control pace when he wants to. The supporting cast—especially Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves—is stepping up. They’re finally stringing together some consistency, which hasn’t been a given this season.
L.A. still turns the ball over a bit too much, but they’ve improved in transition D and have dominated the boards in recent matchups. That matters here. Against a thin Memphis front, they’ll feast at the rim and should control tempo.
Always double-check the Lakers injury report before locking in bets, but assuming the big guns are in, L.A. looks stable.
Grizzlies vs Lakers Matchup Breakdown
The contrast is clear: Memphis plays faster, shoots more threes, and hopes to outscore you early. The Lakers play slower, grind you in the paint, and get to the line. L.A.’s + rebounding edge, better late-game execution, and rim protection all shine here.
Memphis has no real counter for Davis. If JJJ gets into foul trouble—and he often does—it could unravel quickly. LeBron can play mismatch ball and pick them apart in the halfcourt. On the other end, Memphis simply doesn’t get enough rim pressure or free throws to hang around if their threes aren’t falling.
There’s also a rest factor: the Lakers are on normal rest. The Grizzlies are playing their third game in four nights.
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Grizzlies vs Lakers Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Lakers -6.5 here. It’s not a premium number, but they’ve been stronger at home, healthier, and more consistent in closing time. Memphis is too reliant on streaky shooting and doesn’t defend the rim well—this is a matchup L.A. can control.
As for the total, it’s a bit inflated at 237.5. That said, Lakers Overs have been printing lately, and Memphis pushes pace. If the Grizzlies knock down early threes, we could be in for a shootout. Still, I’d lean slightly to the Under unless both teams go nuclear early.
Want to get a leg up with more nuance? Understanding moneyline mechanics and unit-based betting helps manage risk across similar matchups.
Best Bet: Lakers -6.5 (-109).
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