I don't want to say it doesn't matter whether Ja Morant plays, but Tyus Jones would start for most other teams in the NBA and that dude simply doesn't turn the ball over. I'm not convinced Morant won't play but the Grizz are in solid shape regardless and they obviously can't afford to fall down 2-0 at home -- after setting a franchise record for regular-season home wins. The Lakers got their game so it might be natural for a bit of a letdown.

A theme early in the postseason for me has been to fade big games. As explained on the Early Edge, a bettor can’t overreact to a Game 1 outcome. The same goes for big-game performances, as Austin Reaves of the Lakers poured in 23 points. The game script should be different in Game 2, and I don't expect Rui Hachimura and Reeves to be the main shot-takers in the fourth. Play the Under on Reaves' point total.

The Lakers are 20-21 on the road this season. Los Angeles did look very good in game one, shooting 53.9 percent from the floor, and Memphis might be without their best player, Ja Morant. However, the Grizzlies can’t afford to go down 0-2 in the series, heading back to LA. Since Morant’s rookie year, Memphis is 37-24 without him, three of those games being in the playoffs. The Grizzlies still own the league’s best home record, 35-6, and have the players to rise to the occasion in front of their home crowd to even up the series. Memphis also ranks second in defensive efficiency this season. I’m on the Grizzlies.