It will be a battle between Southwest Division opponents when the New Orleans Pelicans (43-34) welcome the Memphis Grizzlies (21-56) to Smoothie King Center. The game will air on Fox Sports – Southeast at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 4, 2018.
New Orleans opened as a 12.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 216.5 points.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans ATS Prediction
The Grizzlies are trying to rebound after their 113-98 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in their last game. Portland made good use of their 25 trips to the charity stripe, converting on 23 of them (92.0 percent). Memphis, meanwhile, was 9-12 (75.0 percent). Dillon Brooks was the game’s leading scorer with 28 points on 11-for-26 shooting.
In the Pelicans’ last game, they fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 109-104. Oklahoma City won the rebounding battle. The Thunder had more offensive rebounds (14 vs. seven) and total rebounds (51 vs. 44). New Orleans’ Anthony Davis put together a good game, leading the team in scoring with 25 points on 8-for-17 shooting.
This game should be a battle of conflicting styles. New Orleans likes to play quickly (second in possessions per game), while Memphis is slower-paced (30th in possessions per game).
Memphis holds records of 21-56 straight up (SU) and 32-42-3 against the spread (ATS). Of the Grizzlies’ 77 games, 41 have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, New Orleans is 43-34 SU and 40-36-1 ATS. Pelicans games have typically finished over the total (57.1 percent).
The Grizzlies lead the season series against the Pelicans two games to one, but fell short the last time these two teams met, 111-104. Memphis covered as a 9-point underdog and the game finished with a total of 215 points, which was 6 points above the projected point total of 209 points. The Pelicans made 26 of their 32 free throws (81.3 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (9.8 vs. 13.6). Wayne Selden Jr. scored a game-high 31 points.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Grizzlies, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Memphis is 16-20-2 ATS on the road with 21 overs, 16 unders and 1 push.
New Orleans is 17-21-1 ATS at home with 26 overs and 13 unders.
New Orleans is 10-2 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Memphis is 13-11.
In games where they score above 100 points, the Grizzlies are 16-22 and the Pelicans are 40-22.
Memphis ranks fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (41.8) while New Orleans ranks 27th (47.7).
The Pelicans rank third in assists per game (26.4) while the Grizzlies rank 26th (21.4).
Memphis ranks seventh in second chance points allowed per game (11.4) while New Orleans ranks 29th (13.6).
The Pelicans rank third in blocks per game (5.8) while the Grizzlies rank 24th in blocks allowed per game (5.2).
New Orleans ranks fourth in fast break points per game (14.8) while Memphis ranks 25th in fast break points allowed per game (13.8).
The Grizzlies rank 10th in three pointers allowed per game (28.6) while the Pelicans rank 27th (30.8).
New Orleans ranks 11th in rebounds per game (44.1) while Memphis ranks 28th (40.6).
The Grizzlies rank 10th in points off turnovers per game (16.8) while the Pelicans rank 23rd in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.4).
New Orleans ranks 14th in steals per game (7.7) while Memphis ranks 19th in steals allowed per game (7.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Memphis is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
New Orleans is 0-4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Grizzlies’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.8, down from 6.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 105.6 points per game (5.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 112.4 points per game (1.5 above their season average).
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