Lakers beat short-handed Phoenix, boost hopes of avoiding the play-in tournament
NBADraymond Green Makes His Prediction on Lakers vs. Grizzlies Playoff Matchup
- Draymond Green has said the Los Angeles Lakers will beat the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs
- The Grizzlies were eliminated in the second round last season, while the playoffs
- The Lakers have the experience, while the Grizzlies have the youth
The 2023 NBA playoffs are finally here, and there are some mouth-watering matchups.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. the Memphis Grizzlies is a tasty series. An experienced team led by former champions Anthony Davis and LeBron James against a young and cocky team. Draymond Green says the Lakers will win the series.
The Lakers have had an up-and-down season. They started 2-10, tr4aded almost half of their roster and integrated new faces, then finished 7th with a winning record (43-39). In the midst of a chaotic season, James became NBA's all-time leading scorer, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record that stood for nearly 40 years, per NBA.
The Grizzlies, on the other hand, have had a great season. They finished second in the Western Conference, but they've faced numerous on and off-the-court issues.
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Ja Morant was suspended for a few games for flashing a gun in an Instagram live video. Their swingman Dillon Brooks has built a reputation as an instigator. He has made a lot of enemies in the NBA.
Green predicts Lakers-Grizzlies
The Golden State Warriors veteran is also preparing to defend the title they won last season. They've also had a chaotic season, just like the Lakers.
With James, the Lakers are expected to win the title. They failed to do that in 2021 when they lost to the Phoenix Suns in six games. Green feels the Lakers will beat the Grizzlies in the first round, per Bleacher Report.
Mavericks, Luka Doncic, and Kyrie Irving officially eliminated from playoff contention
NBA"I think the Lakers will take this series. I think it'll be an upset," Green said. "It won't be easy—it will not be easy—but I think the Lakers may take this series, just because they'll understand [the situation] and slow it down."
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The Grizzlies are no pushovers despite their inexperience. However, their starting center, Steven Adams, is out for the season. Meanwhile, the Lakers were on fire in the last few games toward the end of the regular season,
Can the Grizzlies prove Green wrong?
Brooks wants to beat James
Sports Brief earlier reported on Brooks saying he's looking forward to playing against the 38-year-old, saying it will be a good test for his team.
However, he added that it would be great to knock him out of the playoffs.
"I wouldn’t mind playing LeBron in a seven-game series. The legacy is there. First time back in the playoffs, knock him out right away. They’ll test us good. They got good pieces, good players. That’ll be a good first-round matchup for us."