Lakers vs Grizzlies Series Preview: Previous Meetings, Key Players, and Schedule

Joel Reyes

updated at April 14, 2023 at 7:07 PM

The Lakers and the Grizzlies will face off in the first round of this year’s playoffs
The Lakers have won two of their last three meetings against the Grizzlies
LeBron James and Ja Morant are expected to take center stage in this matchup

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The Los Angeles Lakers turned a disappointing season around, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in an overtime classic to clinch the seventh seed in the Western Conference.

Things will get more challenging for the surging Lakers as they will face the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

Here’s a breakdown of the series between the Lakers and the Grizzlies.

LeBron James, Ja Morant, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, Jaren Jackson Jr, Dillon Brooks, Anthony Davis, Minnesota Timberwolves, Austin Reaves, Desmond Bane, NBA — Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James talk during the second half at FedExForum on December 29, 2021. Image: Justin Ford
Source: Getty Images

Previous meetings this season

The Lakers fared well against the Grizzlies this season, with LA going 2-1 against Memphis in their three meetings this campaign.

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The Lakers defeated the Grizzlies 122-121 in their first meeting on January 20 to snap Memphis’ 11-game winning streak.

The Grizzlies gained some revenge when they hosted the Lakers on February 28, with Memphis pulling off a 121-109 victory.

The Lakers won the season series when they edged past the Grizzlies 112-103 on March 7.

Key players for the Lakers

For the Lakers to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals, they must get outstanding performances from LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

James looks like he is locked in right now, scoring 30 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in LA’s Play-In win over Minnesota, per ESPN.

The Lakers wouldn’t be in this position right now without the brilliance of Davis. He carried the team on his back after James went down with a foot injury.

He was named the Western Conference Player of the Month for NBA games played in March and April, averaging 26.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks while shooting 56.9% from the floor during that span.

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Davis loves playing against Memphis, averaging 22.7 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks in 35 career games against the Grizzlies.

Key players for the Grizzlies

Ja Morant wreaked havoc against the Lakers this season. He averaged 30.5 points, 9.0 assists, and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 41.4% from the floor in two contests against Los Angeles.

He is ranked seventh in the NBA in transition points, averaging 6.1 per game this campaign.

Jaren Jackson Jr. cemented his status as the league’s best defender, averaging 3.0 blocks and 1.0 steal a game this season. He showed he can also be a threat on the offensive end, scoring at least 31 points in three of his last four appearances in the regular season.

Dillon Brooks may be grabbing the headlines for the wrong reasons with his antics, but he will play a significant part in this matchup.

His main assignment in this series is to guard LeBron. Brooks did exceptionally well in the lone game James played against Memphis this season. He limited the league’s scoring king to just 23 points on 8-for-21 shooting.

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