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To start things off, the top two teams in the Western Conference tip-off on Friday evening between the Phoenix Suns and the Memphis Grizzlies. As the playoffs draw nearer and nearer, both teams would surely love to come away with a win in an attempt to sustain momentum for postseason play. Let's jump right into our NBA odds series, where our Suns-Grizzlies pick and prediction will be made.
The Suns are fresh off a grind-it-out win on the road versus the Stephen Curry-less Golden State Warriors 107-103, which was the 62nd victory of the season, tying the franchise record with the 1992-1993 Charles Barkley team and the 2004-2005 Steve Nash led squad. The Suns have clinched home-court advantage throughout the postseason and are now finally fully healthy to go on another deep run at a possible championship.
Memphis enters Friday on a six-game winning streak, including a thrilling 112-11 win over the Spurs. Even more impressively, Ja Morant has been absent in each of those games, demonstrating just how lethal Memphis can be even without their superstar point guard. The Grizzlies are 54-23 on the season and are firmly penciled in as the #2 seed out west.
Here are the Suns-Grizzlies NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Suns-Grizzlies Odds
Phoenix Suns: -7.5 (-106)
Memphis Grizzlies: +7.5 (-114)
Over: 229.5 (-110)
Under: 229.5 (-110)
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Why the Suns Could Cover the Spread
Since the Suns traded for Chris Paul late in 2020, they have been a near unstoppable force that could be on the cusp of bringing the city of Phoenix their first championship since the Diamondbacks won the World Series over the Yankees in 2001. Not only do the Suns hold the NBA's best record thus far through 76 games, but they may be even better than the team that reached the NBA finals last year. Phoenix is ready to finally secure that illustrious title that they have been so desperately seeking, and it seems that this group of ballers have little to no weaknesses on their roster.
The reason why the Suns have been so dominant in 2021-2022? Their ability to put points at an absurd rate while dishing out assists and clawing out victories even in games where they aren't at their best has been nothing short of uncanny. Phoenix only shot 41% against the Warriors on Wednesday, but still hit clutch shots down the stretch that sent the slumping and injury-riddled Warriors packing in the closing moments of that contest.
The Suns will be squaring off with a Grizzlies bunch that are also shorthanded due to injury, so Phoenix has a tremendous chance in winning a tenth straight game. Against the spread after failing to cover in games prior, Phoenix is 9-4 in that stat and are also 31-8 playing at home in the desert, the best mark in the entire Western Conference. If the Suns are looking to cover versus Memphis, they will need to return to form on offense, a lethal unit that is third in the league in total offensive rating.
Why the Grizzlies Could Cover the Spread
Who needs Ja Morant? Generally speaking, a player of Morant's caliber does wonders in increasing a team's chance to win on any given night. However, the Grizzlies have somehow generated their current winning streak without their All-NBA contributor, reminding the NBA that they shouldn't be viewed as just a flash in the pan come playoff time. Although there is a chance that Morant suits up Friday night, he is currently listed as doubtful along with fellow teammates Tyus Jones, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson, and Steven Adams. With only a handful amount of games remaining in the NBA regular season slate, it appears Memphis is not rushing back any of their key players any time soon, as there is no doubt they are making sure that they are all 100% healthy when the Grizzlies face off with the #7 seed out west in a few short weeks from now.
The Grizzlies could cover the spread by doing what they do best, key role players will have to lead the charge with the amount of injuries that have taken its toll on that lineup. Expect Dillon Brooks to be their go-to guy on many possessions down the court, as Brooks may be Memphis' best scoring option throughout, as the former Oregon product is averaging a solid 18.1 PPG. Memphis is 25-13 ATS as the home team this season.
Final Suns-Grizzlies Prediction & Pick
When at full strength, many have the belief that both teams could end up dueling it out in the Western Conference Finals. However, that is then, and this is now. Memphis is decimated with the injury bug in this one, and facing a Suns squad that is fully loaded and on a nine-game winning streak is too much for the Grizzlies to bear. Wager your money wisely and side with the team who calls “The Valley of the Sun” home.
Final Suns-Grizzlies Pick: Suns -7.5 (-106)
