Memphis Grizzlies vs New Orleans Pelicans Betting Pick & Prediction 12/27/24

At 8:00 ET, the Memphis Grizzlies (-428) will travel to take on the New Orleans Pelicans (+335) in a Southwest Division matchup. The Pelicans (5-26) are currently on an eight-game losing streak and are 9.5-point underdogs at home. The over/under line for the game is 238.5.

Memphis (21-10) is 3rd in the Western Conference and 2nd in the Southwest Division. The Grizzlies are favored by 9.5 and are 428-point favorites on the moneyline. The game will be played at the Smoothie King Center and can be seen on Gulf TV.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES VS NEW ORLEANS PELICANS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Memphis Grizzlies -9.5

This game will be played at Smoothie King Center at 8:00 ET on Friday, December 27th.

WHY BET THE MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 152-113 in favor of the Grizzlies.
• Our projections have Ja Morant finishing with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists.
• From the field, we have the Grizzlies finishing with a field goal percentage of 45.8% and knocking down 17 threes.

Can the Grizzlies Deliver Being Favored on the Road?

Memphis improved to 21-10 on the season with a dominant 155-126 win over the Raptors on Thursday. Playing at home, the Grizzlies entered the game as -11.5 point favorites and covered the spread with a +29 point margin. The total score of 281 points exceeded the over/under line of 241 by 40 points.

Memphis jumped out to a 43-35 lead after the 1st quarter, and the teams played to a 35-35 tie in the 2nd quarter. The Grizzlies took control in the 3rd, outscoring Toronto 43-30, and they finished strong in the 4th, holding the Raptors to 26 points while scoring 34 of their own.

The Grizzlies poured in 155 points in their win over the Raptors, shooting 53.2% from the field and hitting 18 threes at a 40% clip. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey both scored 21 points, with Edey adding 16 rebounds.

Desmond Bane contributed 19 points, knocking down 3 threes at 50%. Luke Kennard scored 12 of his 15 points in the 4th quarter, while Jaylen Wells added 9 of his 17 in the 3rd.

Despite giving up 126 points, the Grizzlies tightened up defensively in the 4th quarter, allowing just 26 points to secure the win over the Raptors. Memphis allowed 35 points in both the 1st and 2nd quarters and 30 in the 3rd, with Toronto shooting 45% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Grizzlies held the Raptors to 32% shooting, giving up 14 threes. They also sent Toronto to the line 18 times, where they made 14 free throws. Memphis recorded 8 steals and 8 blocks in the game.

Can New Orleans Secure a Home Victory?

The Pelicans fell to 5-26 on the season after a 128-111 home loss to the Rockets on Thursday. New Orleans entered the game as +7 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total score of 239 points exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 221.5 by 17.5 points.

Houston took control with a 12-0 run early, stretching the score from 26-20 to 38-20. New Orleans struggled to keep pace, as the Rockets outscored them 39-22 in the 1st quarter and 41-31 in the 3rd. The Pelicans made a push in the 4th, outscoring Houston 37-26, but it was too late as they entered the final quarter down 102-74.

In their 128-111 loss to the Rockets, the Pelicans shot 43.4% from the field and 32.4% from three-point range, making 12 threes overall. Trey Murphy III led the way with 21 points, hitting 4 threes at a 44.4% clip.

Murphy scored 14 of his points in the 3rd quarter, while Brandon Boston added 16 of his 17 points in the 4th. Dejounte Murray also contributed 17 points, with 9 coming in the 3rd quarter.

Defensively, the Pelicans had a strong 2nd quarter but struggled in the 1st and 3rd, giving up 39 and 41 points, respectively, in their 128-111 loss to the Rockets. They allowed Houston to shoot 47% from the field.

The Rockets hit 18 threes at a 38% clip. The Pelicans sent Houston to the line 23 times, where they made 18 free throws. New Orleans recorded 12 steals and 2 blocks.