Grizzlies vs. Lakers prediction: Lakers to win, Luka Doncic projected for 36 points in Friday's NBA game [1/2/2026]

The Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies will lock horns in NBA action at Crypto.com Arena on Friday, starting at 10:30 PM ET.

Based on the latest simulation results and today’s injury updates, Dimers' advanced NBA model predicts the Lakers as the most likely winner of the Grizzlies vs. Lakers game.

This prediction follows the latest NBA Injury Report, which suggests the Lakers lineup will feature stars like Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton, while the Grizzlies will be led by Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson and Santi Aldama.

Doncic is expected to shine with a projected 36 points and 4 threes.

This article offers an expanded analysis of Friday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and player prop picks.

Grizzlies vs. Lakers prediction: Who will win and cover?

Using trusted machine learning and statistical analysis, we have simulated the outcome of Friday's NBA game between the Grizzlies and Lakers 10,000 times as part of our NBA predictions coverage.

Our famous predictive model gives the Lakers a 69% chance of beating the Grizzlies. Our predicted final score has the Lakers winning 122-116.

According to our model, the bookmakers have got it right, and the Grizzlies and Lakers each have a 50% chance of covering the spread, while the over/under total of 240.5 points has a 54% chance of staying under.

Grizzlies vs. Lakers odds

We have sourced the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:

All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Grizzlies vs. Lakers picks and best bet

After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:

According to our best NBA bets for Friday, the top play to make on this game is Lakers to win.

Grizzlies vs. Lakers player props

Betting on Memphis vs. LA Lakers NBA prop bets? We have crunched the numbers to project how each team's leading players will perform at Crypto.com Arena.

Ja Morant is expected to lead the Grizzlies with 22 points, 3 rebounds and 8 assists, while Luka Doncic is projected to have 36 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists for the Lakers.

Check out our NBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and today's NBA first basket picks.

Grizzlies prediction

Our model's projected player stats for the Grizzlies are:

Lakers prediction

Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Lakers:

Grizzlies vs. Lakers game-day updates and essential details

Friday's matchup between the Lakers and Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena is scheduled to start at 10:30 PM ET.

• Who: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers
• Date: Friday, January 2, 2026
• Time: 10:30 PM ET/7:30PM PT
• Venue: Crypto.com Arena

Conclusion

We predict the Lakers, with a 69% win probability, will likely beat the Grizzlies on Friday, with Luka Doncic projected for a game-high 67 fantasy points.

AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Grizzlies vs. Lakers insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from the latest data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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