The Memphis Grizzlies (11-25) head to Sacramento to play the Kings (12-23) in what should be a low-scoring game. The game will air on NBC Sports – California at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 31, 2017.
Sacramento is a 3-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 194 points.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Sacramento Kings ATS Prediction
In the Grizzlies’ last contest, they were topped by the Golden State Warriors, 141-128. Golden State made good use of their 25 trips to the charity stripe, making 23 of them (92.0 percent). Memphis, on the other hand, was just 15-22 (68.2 percent). Tyreke Evans had a good game for Memphis, finishing with 22 points and nine assists.
The Kings lost to the Phoenix Suns in their last contest, 111-101. Phoenix’s rebounding was their largest strength. The Suns had more offensive rebounds (16 vs. eight), defensive rebounds (31 vs. 29) and total rebounds (47 vs. 37). With 11 points and nine rebounds, Willie Cauley-Stein put together a good game for Sacramento.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams go head-to-head. Sacramento ranks 28th in possessions per game (96.4) and Memphis is 30th (95.2).
Memphis heads into the contest with records of 11-25 straight up (SU) and 11-22-2 against the spread (ATS). Grizzlies games have typically gone under the projected point total (65.7 percent).
Meanwhile, Sacramento is 12-23 SU and 15-17-3 ATS. Games including the Kings have gone over the total 48.6 percent of the time.
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Evans (24.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.4 steals) has been great for the Grizzlies while Cauley-Stein (15.6 points and 8.4 rebounds) has contributed greatly to the Kings.
After splitting four games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last game, the Kings won 91-90. Sacramento’s effective field goal percentage was its largest advantage over Memphis. The Kings had a rate of 0.507 while the Grizzlies posted a mark of 0.372.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Sacramento Kings Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Grizzlies, ATS Winner – Grizzlies, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Memphis is 6-9-1 ATS on the road with 9 unders, 6 overs and 1 push.
At home, Sacramento is 8-7 ATS with 8 unders and 7 overs.
In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Sacramento is 7-2 and Memphis is 8-8.
In games where they score above 100 points, the Grizzlies are 6-7 and the Kings are 8-5.
Memphis ranks eighth in fast break points per game (13.4) while Sacramento ranks 26th (8.8).
The Grizzlies rank fifth in assists allowed per game (20.9) while the Kings rank 23rd (24.1).
Sacramento ranks eighth in blocks allowed per game (4.5) while Memphis ranks 25th (5.3).
The Grizzlies rank 12th in three pointers allowed per game (27.7) while the Kings rank 26th (31.2).
Memphis ranks 13th in points off turnovers per game (16.9) while Sacramento ranks 27th (14.6).
The Grizzlies rank third in points allowed in the paint per game (40.6) while the Kings rank 10th (42.2).
Sacramento ranks 28th in rebounds per game (39.9) while Memphis ranks 29th (39.5).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Memphis is 1-3-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Sacramento is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Grizzlies’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 0.8, down from 4.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Kings have scored an average of 101.6 points per game (4.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 107.0 points per game (1.5 above their season average).
