Lakers vs. Grizzlies Odds, Picks, Predictions: Can Memphis Take Care of Business?

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An injury to LeBron James puts the Los Angeles Lakers in a precarious spot heading into the stretch run of the season. Do they run into a wall against the Memphis Grizzlies? Read on for our best Lakers vs. Grizzlies NBA picks based on the best NBA odds.

LeBron James stated that the stretch run of this Lakers (29-32) season would be some of the most important games of his NBA career, but now the league's all-time leading scorer might be out of action for the bulk of it.

With James certain to miss Tuesday's contest in Memphis, this matchup could play out as a dominant performance for the Grizzlies (36-23).

Here is our best Lakers vs. Grizzlies NBA pick (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

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La kers vs. Grizzlies pick

Even at full strength, playing in Memphis would be a difficult environment for any team to thrive. The Grizzlies are 25-5 outright at FedExForum this season, going 18-11-1 ATS in those games for the sixth-best home cover rate in the NBA.

The Lakers, of course, won't be at full strength Tuesday. They are 5-9 outright this season without LeBron James in the lineup. It's been even worse over a more recent sample, with Los Angeles dropping seven of its last nine LeBron-less matchups.

Eight of the Lakers' nine losses without James active this season have come by nine or more points. Though they have managed to rally the troops for five wins without him, four of those five came at home. On the road, LA is 1-7 without James, losing all seven by nine or more points.

The Grizzlies fell, 122-121, to the Lakers on Jan. 20 in Los An geles in the only meeting between the sides this year. But Memphis (11-18 on the road) has been a different team at home this season. On the day it was revealed that James may miss multiple weeks, Tuesday sets up in favor of the Grizzlies.

Lakers vs. Grizzlies best odds

DraftKings	FanDuel	BetMGM	Caesars	PointsBet
Grizzlies -9	Grizzlies -9	Grizzlies -9.5	Grizzlies -9	Grizzlies -9
-105	-110	-105	-110	-110

FanDuel, Caesars, and PointsBet offer the line at -9 with standard -110 odds. BetMGM provides more attractive odds at -105, but the line at -9.5 isn't as favorable. Fortunately, DraftKings currently provides the best of both worlds, giving us the Grizzlies -9 at -105 odds.

It's surprising to see this line in the single digits given the uphill battle facing the Lakers without their leader in the lineup. While it's there, though, we like it as a four-star recommendation. If the line moves to -10, it becomes a three-star play.