The Memphis Grizzlies (41-36) are currently on a six-game losing streak and will take on the Chicago Bulls (39-38) at the FedExForum. The game begins at 8:00 pm ET on Tuesday, Apr. 5 and can be seen on TNT and WPW.
The Grizzlies fell to the Magic 119-107 on Sunday. Matt Barnes was the team’s high scorer, recording 24 points. The Bulls, meanwhile, are coming off a 102-98 win against the Bucks on Sunday. Jimmy Butler was the team’s top scorer, posting 25 points on 10-for-11 shooting.
Keep an eye on Memphis’s ability to get to the charity stripe. The team ranks fifth in the league in free throw attempt rate (30.1), but Chicago is among the best in the NBA at keeping opponents off the line (ranking fourth by allowing a free throw attempt rate of 24.7). Furthermore, the defense of the Bulls should have an advantage in terms of effective field goal percentage. They’re fourth in the league in forcing misses (opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 48.2%), while the offense of the Grizzlies ranks 29th in effective field goal percentage (47.9%).
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Bulls won the first game 98-85. Despite the loss, Courtney Lee was a top performer in the game with 18 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two three-pointers.
The Grizzlies enter the game with records of 41-36 Straight Up (SU) and 38-36-3 Against The Spread (ATS). They have a record of 41-36 SU and 38-36-3 ATS versus the Eastern Conference.
On the other side, the Bulls have 39-38 SU and 33-44 ATS records. Against the Western Conference, Chicago is 39-38 SU and 33-44 ATS. The Bulls convert their three-pointers at a high percentage, ranking fifth in the league at .369. The Bulls have controlled the glass with an average of 46.5 rebounds per game, second in the league. The Chicago defense has been a problem for competitors, allowing only 7.0 field goals from three-point range per game. The Bulls are in for a physical game against Memphis. The Grizzlies are not afraid to send opponents to the free throw line, averaging 22.4 fouls per game.
Chicago won the last meeting this season between these two teams, taking the head-to-head record to an even 5-5 SU over the past 10 meetings. The Grizzlies lead the matchup ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – Mem
Notes
“Memphis is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games “.
“Memphis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games “.
“The total has gone OVER in 11 of Memphis’s last 16 games “.
“Memphis is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games at home”.
“Memphis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home”.
“The total has gone OVER in 16 of Memphis’s last 21 games at home”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Memphis’s last 15 games when playing Chicago”.
“Memphis is 11-5 ATS in its last 16 games when playing at home against Chicago”.
“Memphis is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Chicago”.
On average, Chicago scores 101.3 points per game (ranked 21st), while Memphis gives up 101.0 points per game (ranked 11th).
Chicago scores an average of 101.3 points per away game (ranked 14th). Memphis ranks 16th in points allowed per home game with 101.8.
When allowing fewer than 100 points, the Bulls are 24-4 on the season. When the Grizzlies score fewer than 100, they are a poor 10-25.
The Chicago Bulls have a poor 15-34 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Memphis Grizzlies are 31-11 when they hit the century mark.
The Bulls have an offensive rating of 102.1 (ranked 26th), while the Grizzlies rank 19th for their defensive rating of 105.7.
Memphis has an average field goal percentage of 44.2%. Chicago is a losing 12-26 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Memphis Grizzlies and the Chicago Bulls both rank higher in average field goal percentage when compared to their effective field goal percentages. Memphis is 29th and 22nd in the league for EFF% and FG% respectively, while Chicago ranks 27th and 23rd in these categories.
Memphis makes an average of 20.8 assists per game (ranked 24th). Chicago ranks higher in assists with 22.8 (ranked 11th).
The Memphis Grizzlies average 4.4 blocks per game for a rank of 20th. The Chicago Bulls rank higher (ninth), earning 5.6 blocks each contest.
The Memphis Grizzlies are a top-15 offensive rebounding team, currently ranked ninth for the season. The Chicago Bulls rank near the very top (second) in defensive rebounding.
The Memphis Grizzlies earn an average of 8.8 steals per game and are ranked sixth. The Chicago Bulls have a 15-21 record when they allow at least 8 steals.
