The Memphis Grizzlies (7-4) and New Orleans Pelicans (4-8) meet Friday at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let's analyze NBA odds around the Grizzlies vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Pelicans lead 1-0
Memphis lost 123-118 to the Denver Nuggets Wednesday, failing to cover as a 3.5-point home underdog as the Over (230.5) cashed. G Ty Jerome and G Jaylen Wells combined for 44 points, but that wasn't enough as 3 Nuggets players finished with 20+ points in the win. The Grizzlies have lost 4 of their last 5 since starting the season 6-0, and they have been held to less than 105 points in 2 of their last 3 losses.
New Orleans was embarrassed
145-111 at the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday while failing to cover as a 2.5-point road favorite with the Over (228.5) hitting. The Pelicans were dominated 42-28 on the glass, and they let the Nets shoot 57% from the field and 49% from 3-point range. The Pelicans have lost 4 straight and have allowed at least 138 points in 3 straight losses.
The Pelicans escaped with a 135-134 OT win over Memphis when these teams met Nov. 2, while covering as 5.5-point road underdogs as the Over (231.5) easily cashed. Jerome finished with 40 points for the Grizzlies in the loss, but F Zion Williamson and C Karlo Matkovic each finished with 25 to go alongside C Derik Queen's 20 points off the bench to lead the Pelicans to the win.
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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 9:59 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Grizzlies -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Pelicans +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the spread (ATS): Grizzlies -2.5 (-110) | Pelicans +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 236.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Grizzlies at Pelicans key injuries
Grizzlies
- C Zach Edey (ankle) out
- G Scotty Pippen Jr. (back) out
- C Quinten Post (concussion) out
Pelicans
- G/F Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) out
- G Bryce McGowens (elbow) doubtful
- C Yves Missi (knee) doubtful
- G/F Trey Murphy III (knee) doubtful
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Grizzlies at Pelicans picks and predictions
Prediction
Grizzlies 125, Pelicans 117
Moneyline
PASS.
The Grizzlies are the better team, especially with all of New Orleans' injuries, so they will win here and cover as -140 favorites. However, you get a better value with the small spread.
Against the spread
GRIZZLIES -2.5 (-110).
The Pelicans have been awful defensively this season, giving up at least 120 points in 6 of their 8 losses and sitting with a defensive rating of 116.8 (26th). On the other side, the Grizzlies have a top-7 scoring offense and are seventh in defensive rating (108.6), showing that they are the much better team.
The Pelicans played their best possible offensive game when they beat Memphis this season, and unless that happens again here, Memphis will cover.
New Orleans has dropped 4 straight ATS while Memphis is just 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games.
Over/Under
BET OVER 236.5 (-105).
New Orleans is an awful team defensively; expect that the Grizzlies will get whatever they want in the half-court and look for offensive rebounds to be huge for Memphis. On the other side, the Pelicans are mostly healthy, and they have proven that they can put up points at will against the Grizzlies, so don't expect much different here.
The Over has hit in 4 of New Orleans' last 6 games and is 4-2 in Memphis' last 6 outings as well. The Over has also hit in
Best prop bet
Grizzlies G TY JEROME OVER 23.5 POINTS (-120).
The Pelicans have allowed guards to go off on them this year, including when Jerome went off for 40 against them earlier this season, and Jerome has been one of the hottest guards in basketball. He is averaging 26.2 points per game, and this is a matchup against one of the worst defenses in basketball. Jerome shot 22 shots and 8 free throws in his 40-point game against the Pelicans Nov. 2, and he has put up at least 18 shots in 4 of his last 5 games, showing that he will have plenty of opportunities to score here.
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Memphis Grizzlies at New Orleans Pelicans odds, picks and predictions
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