The Lakers’ brief road trip continues in Memphis where they will take on the Grizzlies (3-2) for the first time this season. This marks the first game of the NBA Cup.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies
When: 6:30 p.m. PT, Oct 31
Where: FedEx Forum
Watch: Prime Video, Spectrum Sportsnet
It’s that time of the season again where Fridays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays will be about the NBA Cup, which will take place from Oct. 31 to Dec. 16. Starting with group play, the Lakers will play one game against
each opponent in their group with two games at home and two on the road.
Los Angeles and Memphis are both in Group B, alongside the Pelicans, Clippers and Mavericks. As it has been over the last two years, for the Lakers to advance to the knockout round, they must either finish as the top seed in their bracket or be the top wild card team. Remember, the point differential applies in every NBA Cup game, so the goal is to beat each team by as many points as possible.
That should be the Lakers’ agenda on Friday against the Grizzlies who, like them, are pretty beat up and down three rotation players. Still, the Grizzlies are going to be competitive because not only has Ja Morant a lot to say about the Lakers in the past but they’re also challenging to play on their home floor.
The good news for the Lakers is that Luka Dončić, who sat out the last three games due to a finger and leg injury, has been upgraded to questionable, so there’s a chance he makes his return on Wednesday. The same goes with Marcus Smart, who is dealing with a right quad contusion. It’ll be big to have these two key players back on the floor for a much-needed boost for this team that’s coming off a thrilling and strong victory against the Wolves on the road.
With Austin Reaves’ incredible play to start the season, the Lakers continue to show that they can be competitive no matter who is active on their roster. They’re showing improvements every game, like how they’re doing so much better in third quarters as of late, getting contributions from the role players and competing hard on defense, especially in transition.
The Grizzlies, now coached by Tuomas Iisalo, have given the Lakers problems on the glass and in transition in the past. At the risk of jinxing it, it seems that could no longer be the case this year if L.A. keeps up what they’re doing. The Grizzlies rank 13th in scoring to begin the year (120.4), 20th in rebounds (41.8) and 17th on defense (115.4). Based on the statistics at least, the Grizzlies are off to a mediocre start to the season, but given that it’s an NBA Cup game, they could possibly play their best basketball yet.
So the Lakers need to be ready for a strong showing from Morant and crew and, in return, have their own punches ready to improve their chances of making it to the knockout rounds.
Notes and Updates
- Speaking of performances in the past, it would be nice to get a big game from Rui Hachimura, who always seem to play well in Memphis. Hachimura is coming off a commendable game against the Timberwolves where he put up 17 points, five rebounds and four assists in 37 minutes.
- Another Laker worth watching out for is Dalton Knecht, who had his best game of the season last Wednesday versus the Wolves. We’ll find out if this was an anomaly or the start of good individual run for him.
- For the Lakers’ injury report, the team listed LeBron James (right sciatica), Maxi Kleber (abdominal muscle strain), Adou Thiero (left knee surgery recovery) and Gabe Vincent (left ankle sprain) as out.
- Meanwhile, Luka Dončić (left finger sprain, lower left contusion) and Marcus Smart (right quad contusion) as questionable.
- As for the Grizzlies, Brandon Clarke (right knee surgery), Zach Edey (left ankle surgery recovery), Ty Jerome (right calf strain), and Scotty Pippen Jr., (left great toe surgery recovery) are out.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
