The Los Angeles Lakers are hot. The Memphis Grizzlies went 16-25 on the road this season. Ja Morant may not play, and if he does, he won’t be 100%.
LA has found themselves in a dream first round matchup, and the odds are in their favor.
It’s time to find the Best Picks, Craziest Odds and some free picks with great value in this exciting Game 3 matchup.
All odds, lines, and spreads are provided courtesy of BetMGM.
BetMGM: It’s Time to Change the Game
Best Picks in Grizzlies vs Lakers (-4.5) Game 3
With Ja Morant as a game-time decision, it’s hard to truly predict the outcome of this game, so we’ll use the odds that assume he’ll be out.
Lakers -4.5, -115
For most of the season, it didn’t seem like the Lakers would be hosting a playoff game with a chance to go up 2-1 on the two seed.
20-8 in their last 28 games, LA has made it clear they’re real contenders, and Vegas knows that.
Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves have been the X-Factors in the series for the Lakers so far, and they’ll need those two to step up to cover this line.
Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves combined for 52 (!!!) POINTS in LA’s Game 1 win. pic.twitter.com/s4RVUlgJ7H
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 16, 2023
They also need Anthony Davis to play at the level he’s capable of. After a rough Game 2, expect AD to come out hot and show the NBA he’s still THAT guy.
If Ja Morant plays, expect this line to move to around -2.5. But don’t change your pick. Crypto.com Arena will be packed and energetic, and this feels like a game LeBron and co. can’t lose.
Under 219.5, +100
The over/ under for this game is set at 219.5, and it may be too high.
The two teams combined for 240 in Game 1 and 196 in Game 2, so the line is right in the middle.
With this type of volatility, the O/U is a risky bet.
A season filled with road woes for the Grizzlies, and a very hostile environment in LA, can predict low offensive production for Memphis. However, they play solid defense and won’t let the game get out of hand.
Expect a score similar to Game 2, and not Game 1.
Player Prop: Anthony Davis OVER 22.5 Points, -125
The odds aren’t great for AD to have a bounce back game against the DPOY, but AD is great.
When superstars of the league get tested, they usually respond. And that’s what he will do.
Carried by the energy in the stadium, this is AD’s time to shine and take that pivotal 2-1 lead.
Craziest Odds
Top Point Scorer: D’Angelo Russell, +8000
It’s no question that D’Angelo Russell has had a tough series up to this point.
9/28 shooting (32.1%) from the field, 4/14 from three (28.6%) and two total free throw attempts are numbers that speak for themselves.
But to think that the former All-Star has this little of a shot at taking over ONE game feels a bit out there.
Russell is a volume shooter, and his numbers can get ugly. But they can also look great, and the beautiful art of his game gets put on full display.
It’s very unlikely that Russell has a breakout performance in Game 3. But it’s not +8000 odds of unlikely.
Free Picks
In addition to the Best Picks, here are a few more odds with great value in tonight’s game.
Top Point Scorer: Anthony Davis, +450
Dillon Brooks UNDER 14.5 Points, -110
Lakers to Win by 6-10 Points, +425
Anthony Davis to Win the Tip, +155
Desmond Bane to Make Two Consecutive 3-Pointers, +700
Game 4 will be at 7 PM Pacific Time (10 PM Eastern) on ESPN.
Go with your gut, and bet responsibly.
