The Memphis Grizzlies (17-31) square off with the Phoenix Suns (17-33) at FedExForum. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, January 29, 2018, and will air on Fox Sports – Southeast.
Phoenix Suns at Memphis Grizzlies Free Prediction
The Suns are trying to rebound after their 113-102 loss to the Houston Rockets in their last game. One of Houston’s largest strengths was getting to the free throw line. They made 49 trips to the line, while Phoenix went just 26 times. Devin Booker was the game’s leading scorer with 31 points on 12-for-23 shooting.
The last time the Grizzlies played, they fell to the Los Angeles Clippers, 109-100. Los Angeles’ turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Memphis. The Clippers had a rate of 9.7 (better than their season average of 13.3), while the Grizzlies posted a mark of 17.6 (above their season average of 13.0). Despite the loss, Memphis’ Marc Gasol put up 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. This gave him his zeroth triple-double this season.
The aggressive Memphis offense looks poised to dominate from the charity stripe. The Grizzlies currently rank eighth in the NBA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.219, while Phoenix ranks 27th in FTA rate allowed (0.220). It will also be a showdown of contrasting styles as the fast-paced Suns rank fourth in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Grizzlies rank 30th.
Phoenix heads into the game with records of 17-33 straight up (SU) and 23-24-2 against the spread (ATS). Of the Suns’ 49 games that accepted bets, 25 have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Memphis is 17-31 SU and 20-26-2 ATS. Games featuring the Grizzlies have typically finished under the O/U total (58.3 percent).
The Suns have won both games against the Grizzlies this season, including a narrow 99-97 victory in their last matchup. Phoenix covered as a 1.5-point underdog and the game finished with a total of 196 points, which was 8 points below the projected point total of 204 points. One of Phoenix’s biggest advantages was getting to the free throw line. They had 35 free throw attempts, while Memphis had 29. In the victory, Booker led all scorers with 32 points.
Phoenix Suns vs. Memphis Grizzlies Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Grizzlies, ATS Winner – Grizzlies, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Phoenix is 14-9-1 ATS with 13 overs and 11 unders.
At home, Memphis is 11-15-1 ATS with 18 unders and 9 overs.
In games where they allow less than 100 points, Memphis is 11-9 and Phoenix is 5-2.
When scoring over 100 points, the Grizzlies are 12-11 and the Suns are 13-20.
Memphis ranks second in points allowed in the paint per game (40.6) while Phoenix ranks 27th (47.4).
The Grizzlies average 13.6 fast break points per game, which ranks seventh in the league. The Suns rank last in fast break points allowed per game (14.6).
Memphis ranks fifth in steals allowed per game (7.0) while Phoenix ranks 27th (8.8).
The Grizzlies rank fifth in blocks per game (5.2) while the Suns rank 24th in blocks allowed per game (5.3).
Memphis ranks ninth in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.4) while Phoenix ranks 27th (18.9).
The Suns rank 11th in rebounds per game (44.3) while the Grizzlies rank 28th (40.4).
Phoenix ranks 24th in assists per game (21.0) while Memphis ranks 27th (20.9).
The Suns average 13.3 second chance points per game, which ranks ninth in the league. The Grizzlies rank 10th in second chance points allowed per game (11.5).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Phoenix is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Memphis is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Suns’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 8.8, up from 7.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Grizzlies have scored an average of 100.0 points per game (0.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 103.4 points per game (1.1 above their season average).
