Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans, Prediction, & Pick

Publish date: 2024-03-21

Grizzlies vs. Pelicans Odds

Grizzlies Odds+4.5
Pelicans Odds-4.5
Over/Under229.5
DateTue, Dec. 26
Time8:00 p.m.
TVBally Sports – New Orleans

On Tuesday night, and the Memphis Grizzlies will play and the New Orleans Pelicans for the second time in a week. Last week, Memphis emerged victorious 115-113 after outscoring New Orleans by 21 points in the second half.

Ahead of tip off this evening, the Pelicans are favored by 4.5 points on the spread as they look to avenge last week’s loss. The total is set at over/under 229.5 points.

Below, we break down the matchup for both teams and offer a free pick for the betting community!

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Memphis Grizzlies

making a difference

Since returned from his suspension, the Grizzlies are 3-0, with two of those victories coming on the road against opponents with a winning record – the Pelicans and Pacers. The Grizzlies’ recent success is in stark contrast to their 6-19 record in their first 25 games without Morant available.

In those 25 games, Memphis ranked 24th in Net Rating, 23rd in rebound percentage, and 17th in pace. In three games with Morant, the Grizzlies own the 3rd-best Net Rating in the NBA and lead the league in rebound percentage while still playing at close to the same pace (18th).

Simply, this team is playing at a completely different level of late, and they have their franchise cornerstone to thank for that.

Where Memphis is vulnerable

If there is one area where Memphis remains vulnerable with Morant back on the floor, it is their perimeter defense. Across their last three games, the Grizzlies rank 24th in opponent 3-point attempts per game and 12th in opponent 3-point percentage. They rank 22nd in opponent 3-point percentage on corner threes and have allowed the 4th-most attempts per game on above-the-break threes during that stretch.

New Orleans Pelicans

Pelicans looking for revenge

Though the Pelicans lost to the Grizzlies last Tuesday, they have to have some level of confidence going into tonight’s action knowing that they led by as many as 24 points in that contest and shot 44.0% from the 3-point line. Though Memphis has significantly improved their rebounding with Morant back from suspension, the Pelicans are still more than capable of holding their own on the glass in this matchup.

facing difficult test

is averaging 15.2 field goal attempts per game this season, 9.7 of which are coming in the restricted area. Since Morant returned to the lineup for Memphis, the Grizzlies rank 6th in opponent field goal percentage in the restricted area.

When these two teams met last week, Williamson had only 13 points on 12 shot attempts, while committing 4 fouls that limited him to 25 minutes. The Pelicans will need a better effort from him in the rematch if they hope to get back in the win column against the Grizzlies.

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Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans Prediction

Pelicans (-4.5), -110 BetMGM

It is an old coaching adage that teams learn more from their losses than from their wins, and that holds especially true when a team loses in embarrassing fashion as the Pelicans did last week when they watched a 24-point lead evaporate against the Grizzlies. Despite losing that game, the Pelicans had to be encouraged by the fact that they shot 44.0% from beyond the arc and were able to exploit the Grizzlies’ weak perimeter defense. If New Orleans can do a better job slowing down Memphis around the rim tonight, they should have a good chance to get even against their rivals.

Image Credit: Getty Images

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