Lakers vs. Grizzlies Preview: Post-holiday road trip begins in Memphis for Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers hit the road for a three-game trip that tips off in Memphis against the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies are .500 through their first 32 games, struggling to piece together wins with their bottom-five offense and middle-of-the-pack defense. The Lakers are back to being owners of the league's worst defense, continuing their daily flip-flop with the New Orleans Pelicans.

The fourth-quarter comeback against the Clippers on Christmas Day turned a snoozer of a game to end the holiday showcase games into a suspenseful finish. D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle helped lead the charge, but ultimately fell short as the Clippers avoided what would've been an embarrassing collapse. The game was the least-watched pairing of the Christmas Day slate.

This should be a tough game for the Lakers' youth as they match up with the hardened veterans that still have the grinding mentality that made them a force in the Western Conference for years. Randle trying to score and rebound around both Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph will be something to keep an eye on, while the Ohio State Buckeyes matchup between D'Angelo Russell and Mike Conley is another battle to follow through this one.

It's an early tipoff, which is advantageous for the Lakers in the first half of a back-to-back. They travel to Charlotte to face the Hornets Monday, then finish their trio of away games in Boston. Enjoy the game, which hopefully is a good way to close out the holiday weekend.

Time: 3 p.m. PT

TV: TWCSN, FSS, C+ D