The Memphis Grizzlies (8-16) go head-to-head with the Toronto Raptors (15-7) at FedExForum. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, December 8, 2017, and will air on Fox Sports – Southeast.
Toronto opened as a 5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 201 points.
Toronto Raptors at Memphis Grizzlies Free Prediction
The Raptors will be looking for a similar outcome after topping the Phoenix Suns in their last contest, 126-113. The Raptors held the Suns to an offensive rebounding percentage of 0.0 (below their season average of 24.8) and had a better turnover percentage (12.7 vs. 15.6). Kyle Lowry played a pivotal role for Toronto with 20 points, 10 assists and six rebounds.
In the Grizzlies’ last game, they were beaten by the New York Knicks, 99-88. New York out-rebounded Memphis. The Knicks had 10 offensive rebounds and 42 total rebounds, while the Grizzlies had four and 27, respectively. Marc Gasol had a good game for Memphis, leading the team in scoring with 17 points on 5-for-12 shooting.
The offense of Memphis will face off against the elite defense of Toronto. The Grizzlies currently rank 25th in offensive efficiency, while the Raptors are ninth in defensive efficiency. The Raptors should have the advantage on that end of the court.
Toronto heads into the game with records of 15-7 straight up (SU) and 12-10 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is exceedingly accurate when setting the O/U total of Raptors games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, Memphis is 8-16 SU and 8-15-1 ATS. Of the Grizzlies’ 24 games, 16 have finished under the O/U total.
Lowry has averaged 22.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.4 steals over the last five games for Toronto.
After splitting two games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Grizzlies won the most recent game 101-99. Memphis did a terrific job of getting and making free throws (19-25; 76.0 percent). Toronto, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (7.4 vs. 9.2).
Toronto Raptors at Memphis Grizzlies Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Toronto is 7-5 ATS with 8 unders and 4 overs.
Memphis is 4-9 ATS at home with 11 unders and 2 overs.
Toronto is 6-1 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Memphis is 6-4.
In games where they reach 100 points, the Raptors are 14-4 and the Grizzlies are 4-4.
Toronto averages 5.6 blocks per game, which ranks fourth in the league. Memphis ranks 24th in blocks allowed per game (5.3).
The Grizzlies average 14.2 fast break points per game, which ranks fifth in the league. The Raptors rank 25th in fast break points allowed per game (12.9).
Toronto ranks fourth in assists per game (23.6) while Memphis ranks 23rd (20.9).
The Grizzlies rank 13th in second chance points allowed per game (12.2) while the Raptors rank 27th (13.6).
Toronto ranks third in points in the paint per game (49.1) while Memphis ranks 16th (42.8).
The Raptors rank third in points off turnovers per game (19.6) while the Grizzlies rank 14th (17.8).
Toronto ranks fifth in rebounds allowed per game (41.1) while Memphis ranks 13th (42.9).
The Raptors rank fourth in three pointers allowed per game (25.9) while the Grizzlies rank 10th (27.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Toronto is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Memphis is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Raptors’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.4, up from 7.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Grizzlies have scored an average of 93.6 points per game (4.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 101.2 points per game (0.2 above their season average).
