PREVIEW – Lakers aim to keep good times rolling at home vs Grizzlies

The Los Angeles Lakers (31-34), who got off to a terrible start this season, losing 10 of their first 12 games, host the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.

The Lakers, however, have been battling to hang around since then and they’re actually playing their best basketball of the season at the moment, entering this matchup winning five of their last seven games.

Los Angelese acquired D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Mo Bamba, Rui Hachimura and Malik Beasley at the trade deadline, and they have been impressive with this newfound depth.

Actually, Lakers, who are 18-22 in Western Conference games, became one of the scariest teams over the closing six weeks without Russell and LeBron James.

The team is now tied for the final play-in spot in the West and is just 3.5 games back of the team in fifth.

Memphis (38-25) have the second-best record in the Western Conference, but it’s definitely not because of their road form.

The Grizzlies have a 12-20 record outside of Memphis, picking up just three road wins over the last two months.

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Ja Morant has been suspended indefinitely for some off-court issues, while Dillon Brooks was suspended on Sunday for too many technical fouls.

The Grizzlies have gone 20-18 against Western Conference opponents and 14-15 against opponents over .500.

Both teams have split their two meetings this season, with the home team winning both matchups. With that said, Memphis have won four of its last five games in this series.

INJURIES:

Lakers: LeBron James: out (foot), Anthony Davis: day to day (foot), D’Angelo Russell: day to day (ankle), Mo Bamba: out (ankle).

Grizzlies: Vince Williams Jr.: out (shoulder), Steven Adams: out (knee), Ja Morant: out (off-court issues), Brandon Clarke: out for season (achilles), Jake LaRavia: day to day (back).

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