It will be a battle between Southwest Division opponents when the New Orleans Pelicans (23-21) welcome the Memphis Grizzlies (16-28) to Smoothie King Center. The game can be seen on Fox Sports – Southeast at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 20, 2018.
Memphis Grizzlies at New Orleans Pelicans ATS Prediction
In the Grizzlies’ last outing, they dismantled the Sacramento Kings, 106-88. The Grizzlies forced 21 turnovers, while the Kings had a free throw rate of 0.163 (below the 0.249 mark opponents have averaged against Memphis this season). Ben McLemore fueled Memphis with 21 points.
The Pelicans lost a close one to the Atlanta Hawks in their last game, 94-93. Atlanta’s 9.5 turnover percentage was their largest advantage over New Orleans, who had a mark of 12.0. The Hawks’ mark was better than their season average of 13.9. New Orleans’ DeMarcus Cousins put up 19 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in the contest.
It will be a showdown of conflicting styles as the fast-paced Pelicans will look to push the more methodical Grizzlies. The Pelicans rank fifth in possessions per game while the Grizzlies are 30th.
Memphis heads into the game with records of 16-28 straight up (SU) and 17-24-2 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to place the total high when the Grizzlies are involved, as 60.5 percent of their games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, New Orleans owns records of 23-21 SU and 24-20 ATS. Contrary to Memphis, games including the Pelicans have typically finished over the total (59.1 percent).
Jrue Holiday has averaged 21.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 3.0 steals and 1.4 blocks over the last five games for New Orleans.
The Grizzlies have emerged victorious in both games against the Pelicans this year, including a narrow 105-102 victory in their last matchup. Memphis covered as a 1-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 207 points, which was just 3 points below the projected point total of 210 points. Memphis had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (31.1 vs. 20.0). New Orleans, meanwhile, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.513 vs. 0.449). Marc Gasol put up a double-double in the victory with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Grizzlies, ATS Winner – Grizzlies, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Memphis is 8-11-1 ATS with 10 unders, 9 overs and 1 push.
New Orleans is 10-10 ATS at home with 14 overs and 6 unders.
In games where they allow less than 100 points, Memphis is 11-9 and New Orleans is 7-1.
The Grizzlies are 11-9 when they reach the century mark, while the Pelicans are 21-14.
New Orleans ranks second in assists per game (26.3) while Memphis ranks 27th (20.8).
The Grizzlies rank fourth in steals allowed per game (7.0) while the Pelicans rank 27th (8.7).
Memphis ranks first in points allowed in the paint per game (40.0) while New Orleans ranks 23rd (46.0).
The Grizzlies rank eighth in second chance points allowed per game (11.6) while the Pelicans rank 29th (13.7).
New Orleans ranks sixth in blocks allowed per game (4.3) while Memphis ranks 26th (5.4).
The Grizzlies rank 10th in three pointers allowed per game (27.6) while the Pelicans rank 29th (31.5).
Memphis averages 13.8 fast break points per game, which ranks sixth in the league. New Orleans ranks 24th in fast break points allowed per game (13.6).
The Grizzlies average 17.1 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 13th in the league. The Pelicans rank 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.1).
New Orleans ranks 16th in rebounds per game (42.9) while Memphis ranks 25th (40.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Memphis is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
New Orleans is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Grizzlies have outscored opponents by an average of 5.4 points in their last five games. For the season, Memphis has been defeated by an average of 2.5 points.
During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 110.6 points per game (0.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 108.6 points per game (2.1 below their season average).
