The Memphis Grizzlies (24-25) challenge the Detroit Pistons (18-33) at FedExForum. The game can be seen on Fox Sports – Southeast at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, February 3, 2020.
Detroit Pistons at Memphis Grizzlies Free Prediction
The Pistons come in on a high note after defeating the Denver Nuggets in their last game, 128-123, as 3.5-point underdogs. The total points for the game (251) were well over the projected point total of 222.5. Detroit’s free throw rate was their biggest strength over Denver. The Pistons had a rate of 0.191 (matching their season average), while the Nuggets posted a mark of 0.177. Detroit rallied around Andre Drummond, who led the team in scoring with 21 points on 9-for-17 shooting.
In the Grizzlies’ previous outing, they got blown out by the New Orleans Pelicans, 139-111. They failed to cover as 7.5-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (250) came in over the projected point total of 242. New Orleans out-rebounded Memphis. The Pelicans had more offensive rebounds (16 vs. 11), defensive rebounds (41 vs. 23) and total rebounds (57 vs. 34). Memphis’ Jonas Valanciunas put together a solid game, leading the team in scoring with 18 points on 8-for-13 shooting.
Memphis appears to have the edge on the offensive side of the ball. The Grizzlies rank sixth in effective field goal percentage (0.537), while Detroit ranks 25th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.539).
Detroit holds records of 18-33 straight up (SU) and 17-31-2 against the spread (ATS). Matchups featuring the Pistons tend to finish over the projected point total (62.0 percent).
Meanwhile, Memphis owns records of 24-25 SU and 26-22-1 ATS. Grizzlies games have finished over the projected point total 51.0 percent of the time.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored a game-high 29 points in the first matchup, in which the Grizzlies beat the Pistons 125-112, covering as 2-point favorites. He also put up six rebounds. The game finished with a total of 237 points, which was 5.5 points above the projected point total of 231.5 points. The Grizzlies made 28 of their 31 free throws (90.3 percent) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.614 vs. 0.489).
Pistons at Grizzlies Pick
Free NBA Tip: ATS Winner – Pistons, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
On the road, Detroit is 8-14-2 ATS with 13 overs and 11 unders.
Memphis is 15-12 ATS at home with 14 overs and 13 unders.
When allowing under 100 points, Memphis is 2-0 and Detroit is 4-0.
In games where they score over 100 points, the Grizzlies are 24-19 and the Pistons are 17-24.
Memphis ranks first in points in the paint per game (56.2) while Detroit ranks 25th in points allowed in the paint per game (51.9).
The Pistons rank second in three pointers allowed per game (30.3) while the Grizzlies rank 21st (34.5).
Memphis ranks seventh in blocks per game (5.6) while Detroit ranks 25th in blocks allowed per game (5.6).
The Grizzlies rank first in assists per game (27.6) while the Pistons rank 19th in assists allowed per game (24.7).
Memphis ranks fourth in fast break points per game (17.4) while Detroit ranks 21st (11.9).
The Pistons average 13.4 second chance points per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA. The Grizzlies rank 27th in second chance points allowed per game (14.6).
Memphis ranks 16th in rebounds per game (45.2) while Detroit ranks 28th (42.3).
The Grizzlies average 8.0 steals per game, which ranks 11th in the league. The Pistons rank 20th in steals allowed per game (8.1).
Memphis ranks 13th in points off turnovers per game (16.9) while Detroit ranks 21st in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.6).
In its last five outings, Detroit is 0-5 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Memphis is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Pistons’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 8.6, up from 2.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Grizzlies have scored an average of 116.2 points per game (2.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 112.4 points per game (3.3 below their season average).