The Phoenix Suns (11-22) will attempt to snap their five-game home losing streak when they challenge the Memphis Grizzlies (9-22), who look to end their eight-game road losing streak. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 21, 2017, and will air on Fox Sports – Southeast.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 204 points with neither team favored.
Memphis Grizzlies at Phoenix Suns ATS Prediction
In the Grizzlies’ last matchup, they were beaten by the Golden State Warriors, 97-84. Golden State made good use of their 25 trips to the free throw line, converting on 22 of them (88.0 percent). Memphis, meanwhile, was 16-19 (84.2 percent). Marc Gasol was Memphis’ high scorer with 21 points on 5-for-15 shooting.
The Suns were beaten by the Los Angeles Clippers in their last matchup, 108-95. Los Angeles’ 0.529 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Phoenix, who had a mark of 0.402. The Clippers’ mark was above their season average of 0.508, while the Suns’ was below their season average of 0.495. With 22 points on 9-for-24 shooting, T.J. Warren was the game’s leading scorer.
It will be a showdown of opposite tempos as the up-and-down Suns will look to push the more grind-it-out Grizzlies. The Suns rank third in possessions per game while the Grizzlies are 30th.
Memphis heads into the contest with records of 9-22 straight up (SU) and 10-19-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to set the total high when the Grizzlies are involved, as 20 of their 30 games have gone under the total.
Meanwhile, Phoenix is 11-22 SU and 16-15-1 ATS. Of the Suns’ 32 games that accepted bets, 17 have finished over the projected point total.
Alex Len has averaged 11.0 rebounds, 10.2 points, 3.2 assists and 2.2 blocks over the last five games for Phoenix.
After the Grizzlies won all three meetings against the Suns last season, these teams will meet for the first time this year. In the most recent contest, Memphis won 130-112. The Grizzlies had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (33.3 vs. 22.9) and had a better turnover percentage (9.2 vs. 11.4).
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Phoenix Suns Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Grizzlies, ATS Winner – Grizzlies, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Memphis is 5-6-1 ATS with 6 unders, 5 overs and 1 push.
Phoenix is 6-10 ATS at home with 8 overs, 7 unders and 1 push.
Memphis is 7-6 when they allow less than 100 points, while Phoenix is 3-2.
The Grizzlies are 4-6 when they reach the century mark, while the Suns are 9-13.
Phoenix ranks fourth in rebounds per game (46.0) while Memphis ranks 29th (39.1).
The Grizzlies rank fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (40.6) while the Suns rank 28th (48.5).
Memphis ranks seventh in fast break points per game (13.6) while Phoenix ranks 26th in fast break points allowed per game (13.8).
The Grizzlies rank ninth in steals allowed per game (7.4) while the Suns rank 26th (8.8).
Phoenix ranks ninth in second chance points per game (13.4) while Memphis ranks 26th (10.0).
The Suns average 5.0 blocks per game, which ranks 11th in the league. The Grizzlies rank 27th in blocks allowed per game (5.5).
Memphis ranks fifth in assists allowed per game (20.7) while Phoenix ranks 17th (22.8).
The Grizzlies rank 14th in points off turnovers per game (16.9) while the Suns rank 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.6).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Memphis is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Phoenix is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders, 1 over and 1 push over their last five games.
The Grizzlies’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 10.2, up from 4.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Suns have scored an average of 100.2 points per game (5.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 103.8 points per game (9.5 below their season average).
