Here is what you need to know before the Lakers take on the Memphis Grizzlies.
1)
The Lakers have been steaming from 3-point range in their last three games, shooting 17-for-34 (50.0 percent) from long distance. L.A. has also hit 44.3 percent of its 3’s over the last seven contests — a stark contrast to its 30.3 percent clip through the first 14 games of the season.
Lakers 3-point Shot Chart (Last Three Games)
<img src="https://i.cdn.turner.com/drp/nba/lakers/sites/default/files/shotchart_1420229822391.png" height=“100” width=“auto” alt=“Lakers 3-point Shot Chart (Last Three Games)”
2)
Ronnie Price has been feeling it lately, as the point guard is averaging 11.8 points, 5.0 assists and 2.0 steals in his last five games. He is also shooting 51.2 percent from the field and 50.0 percent on triples. During this stretch, he has once tied his career-high with 18 points and twice tied his season-best with eight assists.
3)
Ryan Kelly will be back in the Lakers rotation against Memphis. The Duke alum has been out since Nov. 16 due to a torn hamstring.
4)
Memphis’ Zach Randolph is listed as questionable for Friday’s game due to a sore right knee. Randolph, who has missed the Grizzlies’ last five games, leaves a sizable void, as he is grabbing the league’s fourth-most rebounds per game (11.4) and converts offensive boards into the NBA’s second-most second-chance points (4.6).
5)
Marc Gasol is having a career season in which he leads his team in points (20.1), blocks (1.6) and minutes (35.0) per game. An adept passer, Gasol is also tied with Joakim Noah for the most assists among centers (3.8). However, Gasol’s biggest development has been as a scorer, as he entered this season with just one 30-point game in six years, and he has now reached that mark four times this season alone.
6)
Mike Conley is shooting better than he ever has, recording career-highs from the field (46.5 percent) and 3-point range (43.3). The eight-year pro has also passed with efficiency, as he is averaging 6.0 assists and the second-most secondary assists (1.9) in the league.
7)
Courtney Lee has been one of the league’s top long-range weapons, shooting a 49.4 percent clip on 3-pointers that ranks fourth in the league. Lee’s shooting has been deadly no matter the spot, as he is shooting a career-high 49.4 percent from the field, and leads the Grizzlies by shooting 89.6 percent at the free throw line.
8)
Long known as a formidable perimeter defender, Tony Allen is creating turnovers better than anyone else in the league, as shown by his NBA-best 4.1 steal percentage. The 11-year veteran is also fourth in steals with a career-high 2.0 per game, and ranks second in steal-to-turnover ratio (1.4).
9)
Led by Allen, the Grizzlies have been among the league’s best at controlling the turnover battle. Memphis ranks third in turnover differential, forcing opponents to commit 2.4 more per game than it does. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies remain strong even when they do turn it over, as they surrender the second-fewest points off turnovers (12.9) per game.
10)
Memphis’ offense elevates during close games*. In these situations, the Grizzlies are 14-6 and averaging a league-high 11.3 during the final five minutes. They are also grabbing the second-most rebounds (4.6) and dishing out the most assists (2.4).
*Five-point differential or less within the final five minutes of a game.