Back under .500 and slipping further and further out of playoff contention, the Los Angeles Lakers face the type of winnable game that’s escaped them over recent weeks. The Memphis Grizzlies enter play on a four-game losing streak and having dropped seven of their last 10.
The Lakers are coming off an inexplicable loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, who rested Anthony Davis. LeBron James was particularly agitated by the result, prompting him to publicly question whether the young Lakers have enough experience to play with the required urgency at this stage of the season.
Head coach Luke Walton expressed confidence the Lakers will have the necessary intensity and continue to improve as they look to make the playoffs.