The Memphis Grizzlies (18-27) visit the New Orleans Pelicans (12-37) Friday. Tip-off from Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Grizzlies vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Grizzlies lead 2-1
Memphis was routed 112-97 by the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday, failing to cover as a 2-point home underdog as the Under (230.5) hit. F Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 26, but only 1 other Grizzly finished with more than 15 points in the loss. The Grizzlies have lost 4 straight and have been held under 100 points in back-to-back games.
New Orleans was handed a 104-95 loss by the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday, covering as a 14.5-point road underdog while the Under (233.5) hit. F Zion Williamson put up 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, but his next closest teammates combined for just 26 points on 7-of-36 shooting (19.4%) from the field. The Pelicans shot just 34% from the field and 25% from 3-point range in the loss.
The Pelicans picked up their first win of the season series with a 133-127 victory Jan. 23, covering as 5-point road underdogs as the Over (240.5) cashed. G Saddiq Bey went off for 36 points, while Williamson and F Trey Murphy III both finished with at least 24 points in the win. The Grizzlies turned the ball over 19 times, leading to 27 points for New Orleans.
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Grizzlies at Pelicans odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Grizzlies +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Pelicans -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Grizzlies +2.5 (-115) | Pelicans -2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 233.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Grizzlies at Pelicans key injuries
Grizzlies
- F Santi Aldama (knee) out
- C Zach Edey (ankle) out
- G Ty Jerome (calf) doubtful
- G Ja Morant (elbow) out
- G Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) out
Pelicans
- G Dejounte Murray (Achilles) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Grizzlies at Pelicans picks and predictions
Prediction
Pelicans 118, Grizzlies 114
LEAN PELICANS (-130).
New Orleans won its last matchup against Memphis by hitting a ton of 3-pointers and forcing a ton of turnovers, and I expect that to continue here. With the Grizzlies facing essentially the same injuries as they did in the last matchup, look for many of the same patterns to be present. Watch for the Pelicans to score consistently, while the Grizzlies struggle a bit more in the half court.
This is a lean because the Grizzlies are 8-2 in their last 10 games against New Orleans.
PASS.
Neither team is worth backing here, as the Grizzlies are too injured and inconsistent to trust to cover, while the Pelicans have not proven they are good enough to trust to cover either. Pass here and bet on the moneyline and/or total instead.
BET UNDER 233.5 (-110).
The Under has hit in 4 of New Orleans’ last 5 games, including in back-to-back home games for the Pelicans. For Memphis, the Under is 26-19 on the season, including cashing in each of Memphis’ last 2 games.
While these offenses will find success here, expecting an offensive output like we saw in the last matchup between these units is a bit unrealistic, given all of Memphis’ injuries and the fact that both squads are bottom-7 in offensive rating.
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