Thanks to a strong late-season push, the Los Angeles Lakers got a favorable spot in the Play-In Tournament and secured their place as the No. 7 seed in the West. Now comes a first-round series against the brash Memphis Grizzlies, who’ve dealt with adversity both on and off the court all season long and still proved to be contenders for the NBA title by finishing second in the conference. Which side will take Game 1 this Saturday afternoon?

Nitrobetting is ready to dish out key assists and lob passes with betting tips and news coverage throughout the 2023 NBA Playoffs. This time, let’s break down the upcoming Game 1 first-round showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies.

Lakers vs. Grizzlies Game 1 2023 NBA Playoffs First-Round Information

• When: Sunday, April 16, 2023, 3:00 PM ET
• Where: FedExForum, Memphis, TN
• TV: ABC
• Radio: 710 ESPNLA (Lakers) // ESPN 92.9 FM (Grizzlies)
• Live Stream: NBA League Pass
• NBA Betting Odds: Lakers (+3.5) / Grizzlies (-3.5)

READ MORE: Clippers vs. Suns 2023 NBA Playoffs Odds and Game 1 Preview – April 16th

Why Bet on the Los Angeles Lakers?

The Los Angeles Lakers were pushed to the limit by the Minnesota Timberwolves before they guaranteed their lot in the playoffs. Los Angeles prevailed with a 108-102 overtime victory over Minnesota to return to the postseason after a brief one-year absence.

The decorated tandem of LeBron James and Anthony Davis remains the crux of the Lakers’ success. James and Davis combine for an average of nearly 56 points, 21 rebounds, and nine assists per game between themselves, and Memphis is well aware that containing either of these two superstars will be key to winning the first-round series.

That being said, the Lakers also did a terrific job bolstering their supporting cast, acquiring D’Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt adds depth and consistency in the backcourt that their previous floor general Russell Westbrook couldn’t deliver. Shooting guard Austin Reaves is also having a stellar sophomore NBA campaign as Los Angeles’ perimeter threat alongside Russell. The Lakers’ starting five is clicking right now but they may have to dig deep for production from their starting roster given how well the Grizzlies play physical defense.

Why Bet on the Memphis Grizzlies?

Most fans consider the Memphis Grizzlies as the resident villain of the NBA. But regardless of what these people think about the cocky Grizzlies, their naysayers only fuel the drive for them to do even better. The results have been encouraging at that, as they finished 20 games above .500 to secure the No. 2 seed in the West.

Memphis’ top stars also happen to be the some of most polarizing figures in the league today. Ja Morant (26.2 PPG, 8.1 APG) is the lifeblood of the team’s offense and the Grizz weathered the storm of Morant’s brief absence due to off-court issues. Dillon Brooks and Jaren Jackson Jr. take care of matters on the defensive end to a tee, albeit with the former being widely regarded as the dirtiest player in the NBA right now.

Nevertheless, the Grizzlies back up their big talk with actual results on the floor. They’re a top-five rebounding team on both ends of the court and they lead the league in opponent field-goal percentage at 45.3 percent. A thinner frontcourt could be a concern, though, as veteran center Steven Adams is not expected to return this postseason due to a knee injury.

Lakers vs. Grizzlies Betting Trends

• The Lakers are 6-2 on the road since the beginning of March (5-3 ATS).
• The Lakers have won four straight games as underdogs to date (SU/ATS).
• The totals have gone over in eight of the Lake Show’s last nine games in general.
• The Grizzlies are 4-2 in their last six meetings against Los Angeles.
• The Grizzlies are 14-1 over their last 15 road games (8-7 ATS).
• The totals have gone under in five of the last six games between the Grizz and the Lakers.

Lakers vs. Grizzlies Game 1 Expert Betting Predictions

Based on the recent history between these two teams, the edge has to go to the Grizzlies. However, they’ve faced one another with varying roster availability in each of their three regular-season meetings, which could benefit the Lakers who have relatively better momentum heading into the playoffs. Still, the Grizz should convincingly win Sunday’s opening bout and the Lakers’ adjustments will have to come in the succeeding games of this first-round series.

Where to Bet on the 2022-23 NBA season with Bitcoin

Nitrobetting offers a solid channel for those who want to bet on the 2023 NBA Season with bitcoin. The power of crypto and its lightning-fast transactions make the entire NBA Season betting more enjoyable.

This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more 2022-23 NBA season previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest basketball betting odds on our online BTC sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.