It will be a battle between Southwest Division opponents when the New Orleans Pelicans (19-29) welcome the Memphis Grizzlies (24-24) to the Smoothie King Center. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, January 31, 2020, and will air on Fox Sports – Southeast.
New Orleans is a 4.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 242 points at PointsBet.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans ATS Prediction
The Grizzlies come in on a high note after easily covering the 2-point spread against the New York Knicks in their last matchup, 127-106. The game’s combined points (233) were over the projected point total of 221.5. The Grizzlies knocked down 28 of their 33 free throws (84.8 percent) and had a turnover percentage of 9.9 (better than their season average of 13.1). Memphis received a boost from Ja Morant, who contributed 18 points and 10 assists.
The last time the Pelicans took the court, they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 125-111, covering as 8.5-point favorites. The combined points for the game (236) came in over the projected point total of 232. New Orleans’ effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Cleveland. The Pelicans had a rate of 0.608 (above their season average of 0.532), while the Cavaliers posted a mark of 0.490. Jrue Holiday was the top scorer from either team with 28 points on 10-for-16 shooting from the field.
Memphis should have the advantage on the offensive side of the ball. The Grizzlies rank sixth in effective field goal percentage (0.538), while New Orleans ranks 19th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.532).
Memphis comes into the contest with records of 24-24 straight up (SU) and 26-21-1 against the spread (ATS). It’s tough to find a trend for Grizzlies games in regards to the O/U total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, New Orleans is 19-29 SU and 23-22-3 ATS. Of the Pelicans’ 48 games, 27 have finished over the total.
This is the second game of the season between these two squads. Holiday scored a game-high 36 points in the first matchup, in which the Pelicans beat the Grizzlies 126-116, covering as 3-point underdogs. He also had six rebounds. The game finished with a total of 242 points, which was 8.5 points below the projected point total of 250.5 points. One of New Orleans’ biggest advantages was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 21-24 (87.5 percent), while the Grizzlies were 15-21 (71.4 percent).
Grizzlies vs. Pelicans ATS Pick
NBA Tip:Â Â ATS Winner – Grizzlies, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
On the road, Memphis is 11-9-1 ATS with 11 unders and 10 overs.
New Orleans is 12-12 ATS at home with 13 overs and 11 unders.
New Orleans is 3-0 when they allow less than 100 points, while Memphis is 2-0.
The Pelicans are 19-26 when they score over 100 points, while the Grizzlies are 24-18.
Memphis averages 56.0 points in the paint per game, which ranks first in the league. New Orleans ranks 27th in points allowed in the paint per game (52.4).
The Grizzlies rank fourth in fast break points per game (17.4) while the Pelicans rank 27th in fast break points allowed per game (15.0).
New Orleans ranks ninth in second chance points per game (13.6) while Memphis ranks 27th in second chance points allowed per game (14.5).
The Grizzlies rank 11th in steals per game (8.0) while the Pelicans rank 27th in steals allowed per game (8.3).
New Orleans averages 38.2 three pointers per game, which ranks fifth in the league. Memphis ranks 20th in three pointers allowed per game (34.5).
The Grizzlies rank first in assists per game (27.8) while the Pelicans rank 16th in assists allowed per game (24.4).
New Orleans ranks 10th in blocks per game (5.3) while Memphis ranks 21st in blocks allowed per game (5.4).
The Grizzlies average 16.8 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 15th in the NBA. The Pelicans rank 26th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.6).
Memphis averages 45.5 rebounds per game, which ranks 15th in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 19th in rebounds allowed per game (46.0). b
In its last five outings, Memphis is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
New Orleans is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Grizzlies have outscored opponents by an average of 4.6 points in their last five games. On the season, Memphis has been defeated by an average of 1.7 points.
During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 119.4 points per game (4.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 113.8 points per game (3.5 below their season average).
