Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game 6 Preview

WHO: Memphis Grizzlies (51-31, 16-25 away) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (43-39, 23-18 home)

WHEN: 9:30 P.M. CT

WHERE: Crypto.com Arena – Los Angeles, CA

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN: ESPN/92.9 FM ESPN Memphis

INJURY REPORT:

MEMPHIS: Luke Kennard (Questionable, shoulder), Steven Adams (Out, knee), Brandon Clarke (Out, Achilles), Jake LaRavia (Out, calf)

L.A. LAKERS: Lebron James (Probable, foot), Anthony Davis (Probable, foot), Dennis Schroder (Probable, Achilles)

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS:

MEMPHIS: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr., Xavier Tillman Sr.

L.A. LAKERS: D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Jarred Vanderbilt, Anthony Davis

After the Memphis Grizzlies lost back-to-back games in Los Angeles to go down 3-1 in the first round, there was a wave of negative attention and criticism from fans and national media outlets alike. But back home for Game 5, the Grizzlies did what they had to do and reminded the doubters why they were the second seed in the West this year: After going down 4-2 in the first quarter, the Grizzlies never trailed again and overcame the Lakers handily, 116-99, to make the series 3-2. As we have seen throughout the season and this series, the Grizzlies often play like a different team away from the FedExForum. What can they learn from their home victories and road defeats to steal a win in LA and come back home for a Game 7?

Luke Kennard’s availability

Head coach Taylor Jenkins subbed Luke Kennard out of Game 5 in the fourth quarter after he appeared to tweak his shoulder by running into a screen and getting his arm caught. After the game, both Jenkins and Kennard were cautiously optimistic, with Jenkins saying Kennard “felt fine” in the locker room and Luke himself echoing this sentiment. Kennard is listed as questionable on the injury report, and every Grizzlies fan is rightfully hoping that he is truly fine and will be back on the court for Game 5 — while he scored just 6 points in 18 minutes, he was +26 in those minutes and particularly critical in the protection and extension of the Grizzlies’ lead in the third quarter.

While Dillon Brooks will almost certainly start Game 6, he has struggled this series. His shooting has been abysmal (20-66 FG, 8-37 3P), which has allowed the Lakers to leave him open on defense to clog the paint and throw double-teams at Ja Morant. Kennard, on the other hand, cannot be left open. Though he’s averaging exactly the same number of 3PM as Brooks this series (1.6), he’s shooting 50% from beyond the arc. His mere presence on the perimeter attracts attention, allowing the offense to find its rhythm and generate good looks. What seemed to many an underwhelming mid-season trade acquisition for the Grizzlies is now one of the most important factors in their immediate playoff hopes.

Ignore the noise, weather the early storm

In both of their losses at the Crypto.com Arena so far this series, the Grizzlies have struggled to start the game on the right foot; in each case, this has led to an eventual defeat, despite improved play across the following three quarters. We’d rather not remember the 35-9 deficit that Memphis faced after the first quarter of Game 3, and while the deficit was only 6 in Game 4, that matters in a game that ends up going to overtime. On the other hand, the Grizzlies are a dominant +25 in the first quarter in their two series home wins. Given the team’s struggles on the road all season, it’s not surprising that they’re now having issues starting strong in LA. But in order to win this series — and any more that they hope to play after it— the Grizzlies need to be able to enter a hostile playoff atmosphere, adjust, and hold their own from the opening tip.

Ignoring the noise is not just about the energy in the arena itself, either. It also has to do with not allowing all of the negative publicity and outside opinions to become an obstacle on the court. The Memphis Grizzlies are young, confident, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. That image, combined with playing against one of the league’s biggest-market teams, attracts its fair share of hate, and without an arena full of supporters it’s difficult to not allow that to seep into the game. If the Grizzlies put together 48 minutes of locked-in basketball though, they have all the skill, experience, and energy they need to steal a win back in LA.

The big picture and a prediction

As Desmond Bane said after the Game 5 win, “We’re the best when our backs are against the wall.” The Grizzlies proved that in Game 5, and have many times over the past two seasons. This team knew they would likely have to win at least one game in LA to take the series, and it’s now or never. We can talk all we want about Lebron James’ fatigue or whether Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves can continue shooting the lights out, but the Grizzlies will be focusing only on what they can control. Expect every player to come out desperate but focused to silence the Crypto.com Arena crowd. This series is coming back to Memphis for a winner-takes-all Game 7.

Prediction: MEMPHIS 112, LOS ANGELES LAKERS 106