Here is what you need to know before the Lakers host the Memphis Grizzlies.
1) Nick Young has been one of the hottest shooters in the league over the last two weeks, hitting 36 of his last 64 3-point attempts — the most in franchise history over an eight-game span. The 31-year-old has also made 90 triples this year, putting him on pace to break Nick Van Exel’s Lakers record for most in a season (183).
2) Young erupted in the Lakers’ last game against Toronto on Sunday, dropping 26 points and seven 3-pointers. He was joined by an equally steamy night from D’Angelo Russell (28 points, six triples), but they were outgunned by 72 combined points from the Raptors’ All-Star duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.
3) Head coach Luke Walton was pleased with the production that his backup bigs — Thomas Robinson and Tarik Black — provided against Toronto while on the floor together. Combined, they finished with 21 points and 18 rebounds in 31 minutes, and Walton plans to give the tandem some run against a size-heavy Memphis team.
4) The Grizzlies have been absurdly consistent at finishing out close games. They have won 13 of their 15 contests that have been within one possession in the final minute — accounting for over half of their 22 total victories.
5) Much of the Grizzlies’ success stems from having the most efficient defense in the NBA. They are holding their opponents to the league’s second-fewest points (97.6) on the second-worst field goal percentage (42.4) under first-year head coach David Fizdale.
6) Perhaps the biggest testament to the Grizzlies’ defense is that they are currently slotted for the Western Conference’s sixth seed despite scoring the league’s third-fewest points (98.6). Memphis is also last in field goal percentage (42.9), though that also stems from being hit by waves of injuries.
7) Two-time All-Star Marc Gasol is considered questionable (left ankle) for this game, but is on pace for a career-high in scoring with 19.5 points per game. The 2013 Defensive Player of the Year has shined on the other end from both inside and outside, leading the NBA in post-up scoring (6.9) while pacing the league’s centers in 3-point percentage (41.5).
