The Charlotte Hornets (15-13) will be at home when they face off against the Memphis Grizzlies (16-15). Action begins at 7:00 pm ET on Saturday, Dec. 26 and can be seen on FxS.
The Hornets are hoping for a better outcome after their 102-89 loss to the Celtics on Wednesday. Frank Kaminsky was the game’s leading scorer with 23 points. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 100-91 loss against the Wizards on Wednesday. Memphis still lost despite the best efforts of Jeff Green, who recorded his first double-double of the season with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Based on historical performance heading into this one, ball security could play a key role in the matchup. Charlotte commits the fewest miscues in the NBA (turnover percentage of 12.5%), while Memphis’s pesky defense causes the most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 17.0%).
This is the second game of the year between these two teams, with the Hornets winning the first matchup 123-99. Kemba Walker was the game’s top overall scorer with 33 points.
The Hornets are a three-point favorite against Memphis and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at 194 points. The Hornets have gone 15-13 Straight Up (SU) and 14-13-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 5-3 SU and ATS against the Western Conference. The Hornets are one of the best in the NBA in terms of three-point field goals, making 10.0 shots per game from beyond the arc. Charlotte is one of the most disciplined teams in the league with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.76.
As for their opponent, the Grizzlies have 16-15 SU and 13-17-1 ATS records. Against the Eastern Conference, Memphis is 7-6 SU and 5-7-1 ATS. The Grizzlies convert their free throws at a high percentage, leading the league at .812. Taking care of the basketball is something the Grizzlies do very well, averaging just 13.1 turnovers per game.
In their previous meeting this season, Charlotte beat Memphis, but the win was not enough to overtake Memphis in the recent head-to-head series. Its record is now 3-7 SU over the most recent 10 meetings. The teams are even ATS, with a 5-5 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – Cha, ATS Winner – Cha, O/U – Under
Notes
Charlotte is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games.
Charlotte is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Charlotte’s last 5 games at home.
Charlotte is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games at home.
Charlotte is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Memphis.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Charlotte’s last 5 games when playing Memphis.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Charlotte’s last 6 games when playing at home against Memphis.
Charlotte puts up an average of 101.9 points per game (ranked 10th). Memphis ranks 13th in points allowed per game with 99.8.
Charlotte ranks 13th in points per home game with 103.1 points, while Memphis ranks seventh in points allowed on the road with 98.8.
When allowing fewer than 100 points, the Hornets are 12-4 on the season. When the Grizzlies score fewer than 100, they are a losing 5-14.
The Charlotte Hornets have an abysmal 3-9 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Memphis Grizzlies are 11-1 when they hit triple digits.
The Grizzlies have a defensive rating of 103.8 (ranked 17th). The Hornets rank seventh for their offensive rating of 104.0.
The Charlotte Hornets average 98.0 possessions and 1.040 points per possession in games this season. The Memphis Grizzlies average fewer possessions with 95.8, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.002.
Charlotte has an average effective field goal percentage of 49.7%. Memphis is a poor 6-13 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
The Charlotte Hornets attempt 28.0 three pointers per game this season, while the Memphis Grizzlies attempt 17.0 per game. When they register 25 or more three point attempts in a game, Charlotte has a record of 13-10 while Memphis is winless (0-1).
Charlotte ranks near the top of the league with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.76 (ranked fourth). Memphis is ranked 12th, with an A/TO of 1.58.
Memphis ranks 27th in rebounds per game with 40.6, while Charlotte ranks 14th with 44.0.
The Memphis Grizzlies rank 21st in offensive rebounding, while the Charlotte Hornets rank sixth in defensive rebounding.
Memphis is one of the top teams in forced turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 17.0% (ranked first). Charlotte has a losing record of 1-2 SU this season when its TOV% reaches 17.0% or greater.
