Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Clippers Preview (3/5/23): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds
Contents
After a volatile weekend for the Memphis Grizzlies organization, filled with injuries and suspensions, they will look to turn things around with a road win against the Los Angeles Clippers. Check out our betting picks, predictions, odds, and injury news below.
Also, since Memphis will be without several key players and Los Angeles is looking to change up its rotation, check out our projected starting lineups to see which players these teams could roll out to begin the game.
Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Odds
The Memphis Grizzlies are seven-point road dogs against the Clippers on Sunday. Memphis will be without Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, Steven Adams, and Brandon Clarke for this matchup, making its rotation quite thin.
Meanwhile, the Clippers should have Kawhi Leonard back from load management, while Norman Powell has been ruled out and Ivica Zubac is questionable heading into this game.
Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Los Angeles Clippers Prediction
It has been a catastrophic past 48 hours for the Memphis Grizzlies. First, Brandon Clarke tore his Achilles against the Nuggets, and had to be helped off the floor.
Then, Denver mounted a double-digit comeback, winning by 16 points. The Nuggets furthered the gap between themselves and Memphis in the Western Conference standings, essentially shutting the door on any hopes it had of obtaining the No. 1 seed.
Finally, Ja Morant posted a video of him flashing a gun on Friday night on his Instagram live, resulting in a minimum of a two-game suspension, which could likely be extended if Memphis wants to prioritize getting him the help and support he needs.
This could be the moment where everything falls apart for the Grizzlies, and an otherwise successful season is lost. Can they avoid that from happening?
Meanwhile, the Clippers’ acquisition of Russell Westbrook has not resulted in wins, as they are 0-5 since he has been inserted into the starting lineup.
However, Westbrook has actually played wonderfully in most of those games. In those five bouts, he averaged 16.6 points and 8.8 assists on 53% shooting from the field.
So, will the Clippers stop the recent five-game slide or will Memphis overcome adversity and grab a crucial road win?
This is a great spot for Los Angeles to secure a home win and get back on track, especially with the playoffs looming and so many other Western Conference teams on its heels.
While the Clippers are still figuring out some things with this new roster, the Grizzlies are missing too many players to compete with them.
If Ivica Zubac plays, he will have the size and physicality to move Tillman around. Further, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard have a substantial advantage over Desmond Bane and any combination of Roddy, Konchar, Williams, or LaRavia.
George’s quick hands, size advantage (three inches taller than Bane, with much longer arms) at the shooting guard position, and lateral speed will make life difficult for Bane.
Expect a better defensive performance from the Clips than their recent stretch, and a home cover, too.
Betting Trends
- Memphis is 10-20-1 ATS on the road in 2022-23
- Los Angeles is 13-17 ATS at home in 2022-23
- The combined over record of these two teams is 56-70-2 in 2022-23
Key Matchups
Our key matchup in this game between two Western Conference contenders belongs to Kawhi Leonard and the Grizzlies’ wings.
Take a look at our analysis below to see if one of the league’s best defenses can make it difficult for Leonard, or if the absence of Dillon Brooks will expose an otherwise weak wing rotation.
Kawhi Leonard vs. Grizzlies Wings
The absence of Dillon Brooks, due to a suspension (exceeding the technical foul limit), will undoubtedly hurt the Memphis Grizzlies in this one.
Memphis needs every win it can get in order to fend off the Sacramento Kings for the No. 2 seed in a tough Western Conference.
Unfortunately, without Brooks, the Grizzlies will have to turn to some combination of John Konchar, David Roddy, Ziaire Williams, or Jake LaRavia to defend Kawhi Leonard.
Overall, Memphis has done a terrific job on the defensive end of the floor this season, ranking second in defensive rating behind only Milwaukee. Jaren Jackson Jr’s interior presence allows the Grizzlies to play perimeter players a little tighter, as the threat of getting beaten off the dribble is not significant with “Triple-J” inside.
Still, missing Brooks’ ability to antagonize opponents’ best players, like Leonard, on every possession will prove detrimental; no other wing defender for Memphis can hope to contain Kawhi, especially the way he has been shooting the ball.
Leonard has been borderline unstoppable recently, averaging 27.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on a 51/53/90 shooting split in his past 12 games.
Even more incredible has been Leonard’s volume from deep in that stretch, shooting just shy of six 3PA (three-point attempts) per game. Expect a 35-40-point outing from Leonard in this one; it will be a clinic. Advantage: Klaw.
Memphis Grizzlies Starting Lineup
PG: Tyus Jones
SG: Desmond Bane
SF: John Konchar
PF: Jaren Jackson Jr
C: Xavier Tillman Sr
Los Angeles Clippers Starting Lineups
PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Paul George
SF: Kawhi Leonard
PF: Robert Covington
C: Ivica Zubac
Key Injuries
Memphis Grizzlies Injuries: Ja Morant (Out), Dillon Brooks (Out), Brandon Clarke (Out), Steven Adams (Out)
Los Angeles Clippers Injuries: Norman Powell (Out), Ivica Zubac (Q)
