The Grizzlies Have Three Players In The Heart Of The MIP Race

Kevin Love has been balling in his last six games — let’s talk Lakers vs. Grizzlies 👇

Subscribe here if this email was forwarded to you

Surprises In The West

Almost halfway through the season, the top four teams in the Western Conference are starting to separate themselves from the rest of the pack 👋

Current NBA Standings

• Golden State Warriors: 27-7

• Phoenix Suns: 26-7

• Utah Jazz: 24-9

• Memphis Grizzlies: 21-14

While the Grizzlies are certainly the surprise of the bunch, their consistent play — including winning 10 of 11 without Ja Morant — has given them a sizable 3.5-game lead over the Clippers and Nuggets, who currently sit tied for 5th

On the other hand, we have the Lakers who are currently tied for seventh, but trail the fifth seed by just one game

• Denver Nuggets: 17-16

• Los Angeles Clippers: 17-17

• Los Angeles Lakers: 17-18

• Dallas Mavericks: 16-17

• Minnesota Timberwolves: 16-18

Only a half-game back of the Clippers (who just lost Paul George to injury), the Lakers have a great chance of capturing sole position of the five-seed if they can get healthy. If that’s case, tonight’s Lakers vs. Grizzlies game would be a preview of the 4 vs. 5 first round matchup in the Western Conference

Grind City Grizz

Beyond Ja Morant’s terrific third season in the NBA, a handful of other young Grizzlies have blossomed into star role players. Right now, they’re the only team in the league to beat both the Suns and Warriors, even winning both contests away from home

• Jaren Jackson Jr.’s fully recovered from last season’s knee injury and has given the Grizz some dynamic slashing and versatile defense at PF

• De’Anthony Melton has transcended his status as a pure defensive stopper, and taken on some of the team’s playmaking responsibilities, especially when Ja and Dillon Brooks were out

• Desmond Bane has emerged as a potential star as a two-way stud, locking down the other team’s top guard and sniping threes at a 43% clip

In fact, these guys have been so good this year, three Grizzlies are among the top 20 in Most Improved Player odds

2021-22 NBA Most Improved Player Odds

• Ja Morant: +390 (2nd best odds)

• Desmond Bane: +3000 (7th)

• Jaren Jackson Jr: +12000 (18th)

Trivia question: Ja Morant led Murray State to a 12-seed in 2019’s March Madness — what Power 5 team did they beat in the first round of the tournament? (answer below)

Lackluster LakeShow

Despite LeBron’s return to form over the past couple of weeks, the Lakers needed a win over the worst team in the Western Conference (Houston) to snap a five-game losing streak

• LA still has seven players listed as out, with four guys in the health and safety protocols, along with Anthony Davis, Kendrick Nunn, and Wayne Ellington unavailable due to injuries

• In total, 10 Lakers have spent time in the health and safety protocols, with eight players missing time due to non-covid related maladies

Unfortunately for them, things only get more difficult from here, as they will have to overcome the second-toughest remaining schedule in the league if they intend to avoid the play-in game and earn a place in the playoffs

• They’ll be without Anthony Davis for at least the bulk of January after he sprained the MCL in his left knee and he won’t be reevaluated for at least another three weeks

• Despite starting the season with the second-best odds to take home the title, they’ve fallen all the way into a tie for fifth after their recent skid

2021-22 NBA Championship Odds

• Brooklyn Nets: +260 (bet $100, win $260)

• Golden State Warriors: +480

• Milwaukee Bucks: +700

• Phoenix Suns: +850

• Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz: +1200

The Lakers need to get healthy…and fast if they want to stay alive in the competitive West

For My Parlay Gurus

The Lakers and Grizzlies split their first two contests against each other this season — both teams have a chance at capturing a 2-1 series lead before their final matchup in LA on January 9th

Given the fact that the Lakers are the worst team against the spread this season (12-22), and Memphis is the sixth-best (21-14), I’m picking the Grizzlies to cover at home. Since this is a parlay newsletter, let’s throw in Utah on the road vs. Portland as well 👇

• Grizzlies -6 vs. Lakers: -110

• Jazz -14.5 @ Trail Blazers: -115

$100 on this bet would win you $257 — if we hit make sure to email [email protected] for $100*, first come first serve 🤑

Trivia answer: Murray State knocked off 5th-seeded Marquette in the first round of the 2019 tournament. Markus Howard led the way with 26 points for Marquette, while Ja went off for a 17/16/11 triple-double. If you have a minute peep the highlights from that game 👆