NBA: Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview, Odds, Prediction

The Memphis Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans promise a good battle at the Smoothie King Center because both teams play very fast and energetic basketball. And not only that, they are extremely attractive, with Morant and Zion leading the way. Though, let us not forget Bane or Ingram, etc. This is the first of four matchups between the conference rivals and two teams who aim to reach the playoffs and go deep into the same. A true test awaits both the Grizzs and the Pels.

Preview

Memphis Grizzlies (9-5, -154) lost the last game they played, on Sunday night against the Washington Wizards in DC, 102-92. Previously, the Grizzlies won two in a row, at home against the T-Wolves and the San Antonio Spurs on the road. The schedule has started to be a bit tense because Memphis travels a lot these days.

The Grizzlies played without Morant in DC, and they had no chance against the hosts, primarily due to a poor three-point shooting, hitting just nine of 28 attempts. They had 51 boards, which is very good, though that didn’t make a difference.

Dillon Brooks had 19 points, a team-high, yet shooting 7-for-22. Tyus Jones had 17 buckets, and Santi Aldama 15 with seven boards. The big fella Steven Adams had a double-double, 12 buckets, and 10 boards. Overall, this might be the worst game of the Grizzlies this season, and even the fact that Morant wasn’t on the court didn’t make any difference.

New Orleans Pelicans (7-6, +165) have two wins in three previous contests. The past two were at home, first a loss against the Trail Blazers, 106-95, and then a win over the Houston Rockets, 119-106. Zion and the boys are inconsistent, though, we need to say that the Pels experienced a few injuries along the way.

NO had fewer boards than the Rockets, a lower shooting percentage, and fewer threes made, though 31 free throws, missing only four. However, the Pelicans committed 12 turnovers, while the Rockets had an incredible 26. To be honest, this wasn’t due to the hosts’ extraordinary defense but primarily due to the Rockets’ struggles in creativity.

Three players in New Orleans had 20 or more points. Zion had a team-high 26, missing only one of his nine shots from the field. Larry Nance Jr. entered off the bench to score 22 points and have nine points, 8-for-10 from the field. Brandom Ingram dropped 20, and Jose Alvarado ended the night with 12.

Head to Head

The Pelicans won the opening game meeting last year, but after that, the Grizzlies went on to beat three in a row against this opponent, two at home and one in New Orleans.

Prediction

The over/under line here is set at 226.5 points, and we will take Over in this case. As said, both units play energetic and fast basketball, sometimes preferring to apply run-and-gun. Morant is coming back, according to the latest prognosis, so we should see a high number of points. Also, we want to say that only one head-to-head game last season didn’t reach this line. This is yet another reason to choose this pick.

Pick: Over 226.5 points