Game 4 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies was one for the ages.
An overtime thriller filled with 50/50 calls and clutch plays, it embodied what the NBA Playoffs are all about.
It’s hard to believe Game 5 won’t bring that same excitement to the table.
Here you’ll find our best picks, parlay and the craziest odds we could find.
All odds, lines, and spreads are provided courtesy of BetMGM.
BetMGM: It’s Time To Change The Game
Best Picks
Grizzlies -4.5, -105
Picking the Grizzlies again feels wrong, but it’s the right play.
Memphis was ice cold once again in Game 4, shooting just 9/42 (21.4%) from three and 39.6% from the field overall. Given their poor shooting, they were 0.8 seconds and one missed layup away from winning in regulation.
The Grizzlies are a completely different team at home. They are 36-7 in Memphis this season (including playoffs), while just 16-27 on the road.
This, of course, is a must-win for them if they want to keep their season going.
And don’t be fooled by the two wins by LA at home; they haven’t played well in their last two games. After the first quarter of Game 4, this team has gone through lulls on offense and have been bailed out by poor shooting on defense.
LeBron has NOT been himself, and Anthony Davis has posted two absolute duds. And without D’Angelo Russell’s three consecutive three-pointers in Game 4, it’s hard to imagine they would have won that game.
Unless LeBron and AD step up like they did in OT on Monday, this game might not even be close.
Over 220.5, -120
As stated in the Game 4 Preview, Memphis is an offensive machine at their best.
Game 4’s over hit when it went into OT, and neither team could hit water from a boat from deep.
Expect much higher efficiency from Memphis, and expect the Lakers to follow along for the ride.
Also, expect at least ONE team to get hot from three tonight.Â
Jaren Jackson Jr. UNDER 19.5 Points, -105
It’s hard to explain why Jaren Jackson Jr. has played so poorly on the offensive end in the last three games.
After his 31-point performance in Game 1, Jackson has shot 14/39 (35.9%) from the field, and 2/10 from three.
It’s evident that the Grizzlies need Jackson to step up offensively in Game 5, but it’s nearly impossible to trust him given his current struggles.
Parlay of the Game
Grizzlies ML,
Jaren Jackson Jr. UNDER 19.5 Points,
Luke Kennard 5+ Points,
Anthony Davis 20+ Points,
Dennis Schröder 5+ Points
+700
This is a player prop-bet filled parlay, but it’s not a ridiculous one.
Confidence in Jackson is at an all-time low after watching him get put in jail offensively the last three games.
It’s almost inevitable the Grizzlies will shoot well in this game, and Luke Kennard is a key piece for turning their three-point struggles around.Â
AD is coming off possibly the worst playoff game of his career. After he had a rough game in Game 2, he lit it up in Game 3. Expect that type of resilience in a hostile environment.
Schröder has been an unsung hero for this Lakers squad. His active hands defensively are so disruptive, and his ability to blow by defenders has opened up the offense. His 19 points over the last two games prove his value here.
Crazy Odds
D’Angelo Russell to Make 2 Consecutive Three-Pointers, +1100
After going on a solo, 9-0 run to shift the momentum of Game 4, this line for Russell is somewhat surprising.
This is not a common occurrence, of course, but given Russell’s volume scoring and his trigger finger, you’d think he’d have better odds than Ja Morant at +900.
This is not saying he will do it again, but it’s confusing that the streakiest scorer on the floor has the worst playable odds in this category.
Free Picks
In addition to the Best Picks and the Parlay of the Game, here are a few more picks with great value ahead of Game 5.
Dillon Brooks to Make First FGA, +125
First 3 FGAs Made to Start the Game, +575
LeBron James: 6+ Assists, 0 Turnovers, +1600
Austin Reaves UNDER 15.5 Points, -110
Ja Morant to Make 30+ Foot Three-Pointer, +775
Game 5 will be tonight at 4:30 PM Pacific Time (7:30 Eastern) on TNT.
