New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies Prediction, Preview and Odds - 12/31/2022

Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Saturday, December 31, 2022

Venue:  FedExForum, Memphis, TN

Where to Watch:  BSSE

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Pelicans +5.5, Grizzlies -5.5; Over/Under:  NL points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Pelicans +5.5, Grizzlies -5.5; Over/Under:  NL points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Pelicans +5.5, Grizzlies -5.5; Over/Under:  NL points

 

New Orleans Pelicans:  22-12 (1st place, Southwest Division)

Memphis Grizzlies:  21-13 (2nd place, Southwest Division)

 

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New Orleans Pelicans:  6-4 last 10

Memphis Grizzlies:  6-4 last 10

 

The Pelicans are coming into this game with a 22-12 record overall and they are 7-8 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They still have a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night that needs to be played first as this is the 2nd leg of a back-to-back for them on Saturday. They are entering this game on a 4 game winning streak with wins coming against the San Antonio Spurs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Indiana Pacers, and the Minnesota Timberwolves in their last game. Zion Williamson led the team in points in that game with 43 while Trey Murphy III was next on the team with 21 points. CJ McCollum led the team in assists in that game with 6 while Jonas Valančiūnas led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 48.1% from the field, 45.8% from 3-point range, and 69.8% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 117.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 112.6 PPG against them. The Pelicans have an ATS record of 18-16 this season and their O/U record is 20-14.

 

 

 

The Grizzlies are coming into this game with a 21-13 record overall and they are 13-3 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off of a win against the Toronto Raptors in their last game. Dillon Brooks led the team in points in that game with 25 while Ja Morant was next on the team with 19 points. Ja Morant led the team in assists in that game with 17 while Steven Adams led the team in rebounds with 17. They were 50.5% from the field, 44.8% from 3-point range, and 71.4% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 115.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 111.5 PPG against them. The Grizzlies have an ATS record of 16-16-2 this season and their O/U record is 15-18-1.

The current betting odds have the Grizzlies listed as a 5.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Grizzlies have one of the best records in the Western Conference right now as they have been having a great season but they haven't been playing well lately taking some losses on the road in a few games during the holidays. They did bounce back with a big road win in Toronto the other night though which got them back on track and now they will be looking to carry that momentum over into this game at home where they have been great all year. The Grizzlies are 13-3 in home games this season while the Pelicans are only 7-8 in their road games. The Pelicans have been playing very well in their games lately as they have won a few games in a row now but a lot of those wins have also been at home. Now they are on the road against a really good home team and the Pelicans are also playing this game on a back-to-back while the Grizzlies are waiting at home and rested. The best way to place a bet here is on the Grizzlies to cover the spread in this game.

 

Pelicans Grizzlies Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Saturday, December 31, 2022 (8:00 pm ET start time) is Grizzlies 127 Pelicans 117.

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New Orleans Pelicans: 20-14 OVER in all games. 9-2 OVER as an underdog. 23-11 OVER revenging a road loss vs opponent of 10 points or more.

Memphis Grizzlies: 12-4 ATS in home games. 46-26 ATS after a non-conference game. 35-21 OVER off a road win.

 

 

New Orleans Pelicans:  L. Nance Jr. (SF) Doub Fri - Neck. H. Jones (PF) Out indefinitely - Illness. B. Ingram (SF) Early Jan - Toe. E. Liddell (SF) Out indefinitely - Knee.

Memphis Grizzlies:  S. Aldama (PF) Ques Sat - Ankle. V. Williams Jr. (SG) Out indefinitely - Hip. D. Green (SG) Mid Feb - Knee.

 

 

 

“That’s just who he is; he understands time, score, situations. He understands the moment. And he made big plays after big plays. That’s what great players do.” - Willie Green after his team’s win against the Timberwolves in their game on Wednesday.

 

 

“It’s super impressive. Tons of credit to Ja. It just sets a tone for us. His unselfishness, we talk about that all the time.” - Taylor Jenkins after his team’s win against the Raptors in their game on Thursday.

 

 

 

PG CJ McCollum

SG Trey Murphy III

SF Herbert Jones

PF Zion Williamson

C Jonas Valanciunas

 

PG Ja Morant

SG Desmond Bane

SF Dillon Brooks

PF Jaren Jackson Jr.

C Steven Adams

 

 

PPG: Z. Williamson (25.8)

APG: C. McCollum (6.1)

Reb/G: J. Valanciunas (9.4)

 

PPG: J. Morant (26.8)

APG: J. Morant (8.1)

Reb/G: S. Adams (10.5)

 

Coaches:

New Orleans Pelicans: Willie Green (2nd season)

Memphis Grizzlies: Taylor Jenkins (4th season)