The Memphis Grizzlies (9-8) and New Orleans Pelicans (9-12) square off in a 9 p.m. ET game at Smoothie King Center Saturday. Below, we analyze the Grizzlies-Pelicans NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Memphis lost back-to-back games to the Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers following a seven-game winning streak that began prior to its 12-day layoff for COVID-19 issues. The Grizzlies are propelled by their defense (fifth in defensive rating) and aggressive offense—first in points in the paint, second in points off turnovers and third in fast-break points per game.
New Orleans has won two in a row, both against quality teams in the Phoenix Suns Wednesday and the Pacers Friday night. The Pelicans have alternated two-game streaks over their last six contests and have a 4-2 straight up record (4-2 against the spread) in those games.
The Pelicans won and covered all three meetings last season and their All-Star SF Brandon Ingram balled out in those contests. Ingram averaged 23 points per game but had a 126 offensive rating, which was 14 points higher than his season-long offensive rating.
Grizzlies at Pelicans: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:05 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Grizzlies +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Pelicans -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Grizzlies +1.5 (-110) | Pelicans -1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 227.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Grizzlies at Pelicans: Key injuries
Grizzlies
- PF Brandon Clarke (calf) questionable
- PF Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) out
- SF Justise Winslow (hip) out
Pelicans
- Nothing altering the betting odds.
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Grizzlies at Pelicans: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Pelicans 115, Grizzlies 111
Money line (ML)
The Grizzlies getting several key contributors back obviously helps but it might take a game or two for those players to find a groove. Also, the Pelicans are top-10 in both opponent’s fast-break points and points in the paint per game, which are things the Grizzlies do well.
Furthermore, Memphis is only 7-13 overall and 9-11 ATS in games with a rest advantage over its opponent since last season while New Orleans has the highest cover rate in games with no rest over that time span. These ATS trends apply since this game is essentially a coin-flip in the sides’ betting markets.
Finally, the Pelicans offense is trending up as they are fifth in both offensive rating and assist to turnover ratio over their last six games. The recent play of PG Lonzo Ball is part of the explanation but Ingram and PF Zion Williamson would also like a word.
BET PELICANS (-120) for 1 unit
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Against the spread (ATS)
PASS ON THE SPREAD because an outright New Orleans win costs only an extra 10 cents on the dollar.
Over/Under (O/U)
PASS since my predicted score is around BetMGM‘s projected total so I don’t think there’s any value in betting it.
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Also see:
- Lonzo Ball saves Pelicans win with last-second defensive stop against Pacers (Lonzo Wire)
- Hoops Hype rumors: Grizzlies | Pelicans
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