We've got an early Saturday game featuring two teams from the Western Conference. It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Grizzlies-Clippers prediction and pick.
The Memphis Grizzlies are off to a great start this season. They are 26-14 and are fourth in the West! A major part of their success is due in part to Ja Morant. Morant is turning himself into a superstar and there won't be many more days until we consider him the top point guard in the NBA. Memphis is coming off of a blowout win over Detroit last time out, 118-88. Unless there is a total collapse, it looks as if we will see the Grizzlies back into the playoffs this season.
The Los Angeles Clippers are a different story this year. They are 19-20 and are eighth in the West. They are coming off bad back-to-back losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns. Paul George remains the Clippers' top player this season but they have been getting much-needed help from point guard Reggie Jackson. George remains out with an elbow injury so the Clippers are going to have a rough stretch without their star players.
Here are the Grizzlies-Clippers NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Grizzlies-Clippers Odds
Memphis Grizzlies: -3 (-110)
Los Angeles Clippers: +3 (-110)
Over: 214 (-108)
Under: 214 (-112)
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Why The Grizzlies Could Cover The Spread
Article Continues BelowWith the way the Grizzlies are playing, I really like them in this matchup. Without the Clippers' two best players, I think the Grizzlies have another chance to roll past teams. Morant is on fire scoring at a high pace. He's 12th in the NBA in scoring at 25 a game, followed by 5.8 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. Morant is currently Doubtful for Saturday's game, however, so the Grizzlies may need to find a way without him. They have seen success from Dillon Brooks who is averaging 19.3 points per game and will need to get them past LA. The Grizzlies will be without Desmond Bane as well.
The Grizzlies are 7-3 in their last 10 games. They are 24-15 against the spread this year which is a really good sign for bettors. Memphis is on a 7-game winning streak and has a chance to make it eight if they escape LA with a win, without Morant and Bane.
Why The Clippers Could Cover The Spread
Even with the possibility of Morant missing the game for Memphis, this spread will be tough for the Clippers to cover. LA has lost four-straight home games and so this doesn't seem like a good sign. They are 3-7 in their last 10 games averaging just 102 points per game. The Grizzlies won the last time these two teams faced, and they will meet one more time before the end of the season. LA is just 12-16 against the West this season and so it's been difficult for them to find any rhythm. Luckily for them, this matchup could be easier if Morant is ruled out.
LA is 17-21-1 against the spread this season. They've lost the last two games and at the same time didn't pose a threat to either team. LA will need to find a way to create scoring between Jackson and Marcus Morris Sr.
Final Grizzlies-Clippers Prediction & Pick
This isn't an easy game to pick from. The Grizzlies are a great team but a lot of their success comes from Morant and Bane. They are both likely to miss the game so I will be taking the Clippers to cover this spread. LA is out their two stars also but they are more used to it, as they have been dealing with this all season.
Final Grizzlies-Clippers Prediction & Pick: Clippers +3 (-110)