Grizzlies vs Lakers 2023 Playoffs Preview (Odds, Season Series and All-Time History)

After barely surviving the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Play-in Game on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers are moving on to face the No. 2 seed Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of this exciting Western Conference matchup.

Grizzlies vs Lakers All-Time Playoff History

While the Grizzlies and Lakers have met 102 times during the regular season over the years (LA leads 63-39), this will be the first time they're squaring off in a postseason series. Los Angeles is back in the playoffs after a brief one-year absence, while Memphis made the postseason for the third year in a row.

Grizzlies vs Lakers Season Series 2023

While they've never met in the postseason before, the Lakers and Grizzlies did meet three times during the regular season this year.

Los Angeles won the first battle, squeaking out a 122-121 victory at home on Jan. 20. Memphis got revenge in the next matchup, however, earning a 121-109 win on its home court on Feb. 28.

The Lakers took the rubber match on March 7 with a 112-103 victory back at Crypto.com Arena, winning the season series in the process.

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Grizzlies vs Lakers Odds and Prediction for 2023 Playoff Series

This series should be interesting. Memphis was clearly the better team during the regular season, winning eight more games. LA is coming in with a ton of momentum, however, after winning 10 of its last 12. Accordingly, the playoff odds on FanDuel Sportsbook are fairly close, with the Grizzlies listed as -130 favorites and the Lakers listed as +108 underdogs.

Memphis is the more balanced team and is much stronger defensively. The Grizzlies ranked ninth in points per game (116.9) while giving up the 11th-fewest (113.0). They also finished with the second-best defensive rating in the NBA, according to Basketball-Reference.

Los Angeles, on the other hand, is more potent offensively but weaker defensively. The Lakers ranked sixth in scoring with 117.2 points per game but yielded the 11th-most points per game at 116.6.

LA is older, more experienced, and has the best player in the series in LeBron James. Memphis is younger, deeper and plays better defense. This series will probably go six or seven games, but I'm backing the Grizzlies to win it (-130) after the Lakers run out of gas.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.