Grizzlies Seek Consecutive Wins Against Pelicans Tonight

NEW ORLEANS, La. — The Memphis Grizzlies (39-24) aim to secure consecutive victories for the first time in over a month as they face the New Orleans Pelicans (17-47) at the Smoothie King Center tonight at 7 p.m. ET. The Grizzlies recently halted a four-game losing streak with a 122-111 triumph over the Dallas Mavericks.

In their last outing, the Pelicans struggled, suffering a 146-117 defeat to the Houston Rockets. This match marks the second leg of a back-to-back for New Orleans, which could affect their performance and rotations.

Memphis enters this matchup as a 10.5-point favorite, with an over/under set at 239.5 points, reflecting expectations for a high-scoring game. The SportsLine consensus compiles this data from betting enthusiasts and experts.

According to the SportsLine Projection Model, which has accurately simulated every NBA game 10,000 times, the Grizzlies have been a profitable team for $100 players, yielding over $10,000 in returns over the last six seasons. This season, Memphis has shown capability with an outstanding 64% success rate on top-rated spread picks.

Despite caring for their playoff positioning, Memphis faces challenges, including the potential absence of four key players due to injury concerns. In contrast, the Pelicans have had a mixed season and are 16-14-1 against the spread at home, struggling to maintain momentum following a strong start to the All-Star break.

Key players for Memphis have shined recently. Star guard Ja Morant contributed 31 points in the last game, and the team saw significant contributions from Zach Edey, who is stepping up in the absence of Jaren Jackson Jr.

“This is a crucial game for us. We need to maintain our spot in the Western Conference and look toward the playoffs,” Morant said after the Dallas game. “Each win counts more than ever right now.”

Conversely, the Pelicans appear to be settling for a lower draft lottery spot, with whispers of resting their star player, Zion Williamson, on the second night of a back-to-back. “We have to think about the future and what gives us the best chance long term,” a Pelicans coach stated, hinting at a possible reduced workload for his star players tonight.

As both teams prepare for their showdown, analysts expect Memphis to capitalize on New Orleans’ vulnerabilities, especially with their rebounding game, where Edey can exploit mismatches against the Pelicans’ frontcourt. The Pelicans rank 27th in the league for opponent rebounds allowed per game, a statistic Edey can impact significantly.

With predictions leaning towards the under, expecting a total of 232 points, both teams will look to secure a win with strategic play. The contest also represents a critical moment for Memphis to assert their dominance as they look to strengthen their playoff positioning ahead of the season’s final stretch.