by Darnell "The Playmaker" Sallins
The 2023 NBA Playoffs are set. The Western Conference has been crazy throughout the season as the West will run through the Mile High City and the Denver Nuggets. Nevertheless, we will focus on the two vs. seven matchup in the West. The Los Angeles Lakers against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Get your popcorn ready for this. Lakers vs. Grizzlies in a playoff series should be entertaining both on and off the court. The Lakers took 2 out 3 from the Grizzlies, but what people remember most is the situation back on January 20 at Crypto.com Arena that involved Fox Sport's Shannon Sharpe (see picture below)
Not to mention, the Lakers overcame a 13-point deficit in the 2nd half to defeat the Grizzlies that game.
LA Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are back in the playoffs after missing it last season. They got in after surviving against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night for the 7th seed in the Play-In Tournament. You can say the Timberwolves lost the game more than the Lakers won the game but the Lakers got the W at the end. Overcoming a 15-point deficit and a bad foul at the end of regulation to win in overtime, 108-102.
Nevertheless, the Lakers have the 7th seed with LeBron James finishing his 20th season in the NBA. The All-Time Leading Scorer in NBA history can begin the quest for title number 5 through the Wild Wild West. James finished his 20th season averaging 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game. LeBron has only played Memphis once this season and that the infamous January 20th game mentioned earlier where he struggled with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. The King shot 38% from the field and 20% from three in that game. It will be interesting to see how The King will do just 8 games back from his foot injury going against a physical, rough, and tough Grizzlies team.
Now to the big man for the Lakers in Anthony Davis. Davis has been healthier this season than the past two seasons. Playing in 56 games, Davis averaged 25.9 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. Davis will look to be the key against the Grizzlies for the upset. in two games versus Memphis, Davis is averaging 29 points and 20.5 rebounds. That is correct Anthony Davis averaging 20 rebounds against the Memphis Grizzlies and more of that could be problematic for the Grizzlies.
Memphis Grizzlies
For the second season in a row, the Memphis Grizzlies finished 2nd in the West. This time however, Memphis isn't being talked about as a title favorite. The Phoenix Suns as the 4th seed is the favorite to win the West. The Grizzlies have been dealing with so much turmoil this season that people are put off by the Grizzlies. The incident with Shannon Sharpe mentioned earlier. Dillion Brooks getting into with Donovan Mitchell and getting ejected from the game and suspended. Ja Morant having to leave the team and serve an 8-game suspension from his famous Instagram Live that showed a handgun in a Denver Nightclub.
Nevertheless, since Morant return, the Grizzlies have been more serious about playing basketball and it showed going 6-4 to finish the season. Morant averaged 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game this season. Ranked 11th in scoring while shooting 46.6% from the field and ranked 5th in assist, Morant is the star and leader in Memphis. Versus the Lakers, Morant feasts, averaging 30.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 9 assists in the two games played.
All eyes won't be Ja however, with Anthony Davis being the key for the Lakers, eyes fall on Jaren Jackson Jr. No Steven Adams nor Brandon Clarke, Jackson Jr. will have to be the defensive presence for Memphis. The Defensive Player of the Year candidate averaged 18.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3 blocks per game this season, but the problem is that he averages 3.6 personal fouls per game. This makes Jaren Jackson Jr. prone to getting into foul trouble especially guarding someone like Anthony Davis.
The series begins Sunday, April 16 in Memphis
Series Schedule (* If Necessary)
Game 1: Sunday, April 16 in Memphis at 3:00PM on ABC
Game 2: Wednesday, April 19 in Memphis at 7:30PM on TNT
Game 3: Saturday, April 22 in Los Angeles at 10:00PM on ESPN
Game 4: Monday, April 24 in Los Angeles
*Game 5: Wednesday, April 26 in Memphis
*Game 6: Friday, April 28 in Los Angeles
*Game 7: Sunday, April 30 in Memphis