The Memphis Grizzlies will host a contest against the Phoenix Suns at the FedExForum. Action begins at 4:00 pm ET on Sunday, Mar. 6 and can be seen on FxS and FAZ.
The Grizzlies enter this game hoping for similar success after topping the Jazz 94-88 on Friday. Zach Randolph was the game’s leading scorer with 25 points on 9-for-18 shooting. The Suns, meanwhile, are coming off a 102-84 win against the Magic on Friday. Alex Len claimed his 11th double-double of the season with 31 points and 15 rebounds.
Randolph has taken his game to another level over the last five games for the Grizzlies. During that stretch, he has averaged 20.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists.
The physical Grizzlies offense might be getting to the charity stripe a lot in this one. They rank fifth in the league at getting to the line (free throw attempt rate of 31.0), while Phoenix is among the NBA’s most foul-prone teams (giving up a 30th-ranked free throw attempt rate of 32.4). It will also be a tale of two tempos, as the fast-paced Suns are ranked fifth in possessions per game, with the methodical Grizzlies at 27th.
Both teams have won a game in the season series. The Suns had the upper hand in the most recent game, a 111-106 win. Len put up a double-double in the victory with 22 points and 16 rebounds.
The Grizzlies have gone 37-24 Straight Up (SU) and 30-28-3 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 37-24 SU and 30-28-3 ATS against the Western Conference. The Grizzlies are one of the best in the NBA in terms of free throws made, making an impressive 20.0 per game. Memphis’s defense has fallen apart in the past 10 games. Its average points allowed per game rose to 113.2 during that span, compared to its 99.3 season average.
In the other locker room, the Suns have a record of 24-38 ATS and 16-46 SU. Phoenix performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 7-3 record.
Phoenix beat Memphis in their most recent meeting this season, but the win was not enough to overtake Memphis in the most recent head-to-head series. Its record is now 2-8 SU over the last 10 meetings. The Grizzlies also lead the matchup ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – Mem
Notes
“Memphis is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games “.
“Memphis is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games “.
“The total has gone OVER in 16 of Memphis’s last 23 games “.
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis’s last 5 games “.
“Memphis is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home”.
“Memphis is 16-3 SU in its last 19 games at home”.
“The total has gone OVER in 11 of Memphis’s last 14 games at home”.
“Memphis is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Phoenix”.
“Memphis is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Phoenix”.
“Memphis is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Phoenix”.
Memphis ranks 24th in points per game with 99.1, while Phoenix ranks 29th in points allowed with an average of 107.5 given up.
Phoenix ranks 25th in points allowed per road game (109.6 PPG), while Memphis ranks 22nd in points per home game with 101.2.
The Phoenix Suns won their last game by 18 points. In games decided by a margin of 18 points or more, the Memphis Grizzlies are 2-7. Phoenix is 5-14 in blowouts this season.
Phoenix has an even 7-7 record in contests where it gives up fewer than 100 points. The Grizzlies do not perform well when scoring under 100 points, earning a 10-19 record on the season.
The Phoenix Suns have an abysmal 9-39 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Memphis Grizzlies are 27-5 when they hit the century mark.
The Suns have an offensive rating of 99.9 (ranked 28th), while the Grizzlies rank 16th for their defensive rating of 104.1.
Memphis has an average field goal percentage of 44.7%. Phoenix is an underachieving 6-38 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
On average, Memphis attempts 18.0 three pointers and Phoenix attempts 25.0 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, the Grizzlies have a winning 3-1 record while the Suns have an abysmal 8-25 record.
Memphis has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.70 this season (ranked 11th), while Phoenix ranks lower at 29th with an A/TO of 1.26.
Memphis ranks 30th in rebounds per game with 40.8, while Phoenix ranks 16th with 43.4 per game.
Memphis is ranked 30th in defensive rebounds, while Phoenix ranks 10th in offensive rebounds.
Memphis is one of the top teams in forced turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 16.4% (ranked first). Phoenix has a poor record of 11-22 SU this season when its TOV% reaches 16.4% or greater.
