Los Angeles Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies

The Los Angeles Lakers (47-40 SU, 43-42-2 ATS) will be looking to complete the upset in their first-round series with the Memphis Grizzlies (52-34, 38-46-2) when they hit the court at FedExForum for Game 5 on Wednesday night. The Lakers hit the road for Game 5 in firm control after taking a commanding 3-1 series lead with a 117-111 overtime win in Game 4.

Monday’s loss extended a dismal run for the second-seeded Grizzlies, who have now suffered SU losses in seven of their past 11 overall contests. However, Memphis remains a formidable force on the home court, where the club compiled an NBA-best 35-6 SU record during the regular season.

Latest Betting Notes: Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers fans were treated to a vintage performance by LeBron James in Game 4 of this series. The 38-year-old led the assault at both ends of the court, racking up 22 points to go along with 20 rebounds including a crucial field goal with less than a second remaining to push the contest into overtime.

Fired up by comments from the Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks after the Lakers’ loss in Game 2 suggesting that he is “old”, James has taken his game to the next level while averaging 23.5 points, 14.5 boards, and six assists over the past two games, with his only deficiency being his 1-for-11 shooting on three-pointers over that stretch.

As has been the case for most of the season, James is listed on the game-day injury report due to a lingering foot injury. He is joined there once again by Anthony Davis, who produced his third double-double of the series in Game 4. However, both superstars are expected to suit up for Game 5.

Latest Betting Notes: Memphis Grizzlies

After turning in a breakthrough performance with 45 points and 13 helpers in the team’s 111-101 loss in Game 3, Ja Morant took a step back in Monday’s contest, scoring just 19 points to go along with seven helpers. Morant has failed to reach 20 points on two occasions so far in the series and scored more than 18 just twice in his past six home appearances.

Desmond Bane picked up the slack in Game 4, racking up a game-high 36 points in his highest-scoring performance of the season. Bane has also been a steady producer on home hardwood, averaging 23.9 points per game over his past seven appearances. However, he has struggled from downtown, going a meager 10-for-35 in the series.

Lakers Player Prop: Austin Reaves OVER 15.5 Points

Austin Reaves has seen his workload steadily increase as this series has progressed, and the 24-year-old has responded well with steady offensive contributions.

Reaves dropped 23 points for the second time in the series while playing over 40 minutes in Game 4, and while his accuracy remains a concern, he offers value as a -113 bet to score OVER 15.5 points on Wednesday.

Grizzlies Player Prop: Dillon Brooks OVER 12.5 Points

Dillon Brooks has made headlines more for punching LeBron James in the groin in Game 3 than for his scoring in the series. However, Brooks’ offensive production on home court should not be underestimated.

The 27-year-old averaged 13.2 points per game at home during the regular season, and has scored at least 12 points in each of his past five home appearances. With the Grizzlies’ backs to the wall, look for Brooks to maintain that trend and pay out as a -130 bet to score OVER 12.5 points in Game 5.