NBA: Brooklyn Nets vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview, Odds, Prediction

The Brooklyn Nets need a miracle to avoid the play-in tournament, and Steve Nash’s crew simply has to beat the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. The hosts from Tennessee await the Nets at FedEx Forum without Ja Morant, which is a massive handicap for them, but they showed so many times this year that even without the biggest superstar, this unit is pretty dangerous. We expect to see fast-paced basketball in Memphis, with lots of points and nice moves. Hopefully, we’ll be able to earn some money from this one as well. 

Preview

Brooklyn Nets (38-34, -110) are slight favorites after the news about Morant’s absence broke out. The Nets won six of the last seven events, and they are coming off back-to-back triumphs here. The first was against the Blazers, and the most recent over the Utah Jazz, both at Barclays Center. 

Steve Nash’s boys beat the Jazzers, 114-106, with Kevin Durant in the leading role. KD had 37 points, nine boards, and eight assists, all team-high stats.

He had a lot of help coming from Bruce Brown, who improved a lot over the past few weeks, and became a reliable option in the Nets’ attack. Brown had 22 points with seven boards and five assists, while Nic Claxton scored 15 points with six boards and four assists. Patty Mills came off the bench and had 13 points.

Memphis Grizzlies (49-23, +100) won five of the past six games, and are in perfect shape before the end of the season. Morant has a slight injury, and his absence from this event is more of a precaution than a need. 

Taylor Jenkins’ boys are back home following a four-game tour during which they lost to the Hawks in Atlanta but won in OKC, Indianapolis, and at last in Houston against the Rockets, 122-98. It was a routine job for the franchise from Memphis who controlled the situation from the start until the end. 

Desmond Bane had 24 points with seven assists and five rebounds, leading the Grizzlies on the offensive side of the ball. Dillon Brooks scored 20, while De’Anthony Melton with 16 and Ziaire Williams with 14 played a huge role off the bench. We want to mention Jaren Jackson Jr. with 15 points and three blocks, who again demonstrated why many believe he should be this year’s NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Head to Head Games

Memphis was victorious in Brooklyn, 118-104. That was the fifth straight win for the Grizzlies in their meetings with the Nets. Morant scored 36 points, while Bane added 29. On the other side, Durant dropped 26 and Harden 19. 

Prediction

Without Morant, we need to say that the Grizzlies are underdogs in this one. Yes, we are aware that Memphis knows how to play without Ja, but with Kyrie and KD on the court, the situation isn’t very shinny for the hosts. They simply need a superstar potential in a matchup like this one, and someone who will slow down Kyrie. That’s why we predict the guests’ victory in Tennessee, and an extent of their positive trend of results.

Pick: Nets win

Here is the preview for the game between the 76ers and the Lakers.