The Grizzlies are in the midst of a seven-game road trip as they visit Staples Center on Wednesday to battle the Los Angeles Clippers. With that being said, it’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Grizzlies-Clippers prediction and pick.
The Grizzlies are the 8th seed in the Western Conference with a record of 29-27 after coming off a tough overtime loss against the Denver Nuggets.
The Clippers are on a two-game winning streak and have won nine of their last ten games for a record of 41-19 and the 3rd seed in the Western Conference.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Grizzlies-Clippers odds.
NBA Odds: Grizzlies-Clippers Odds
Memphis Grizzlies +2 (-108)
Los Angeles Clippers -2 (-112)
Over 227 Points (-110)
Under 227 Points(-110)
Why The Grizzlies Could Cover The Spread
The Grizzlies are having a great season considering the fact that they have been playing without their second most talented player in Jaren Jackson Jr.
Coach Taylor Jenkins has trusted his players off the bench to fill in the big void left behind by Jackson Jr. and as a result, his team has been playing great basketball on both ends of the floor.
This Memphis team has the 14th best offensive rating in the league and the 9th best defensive rating in the league.
Offensively, they're being led by their young but talented point guard, Ja Morant, who is averaging 19.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game this season. Morant's stats don't speak to the impact that he has on this team and how much better he makes the rest of the players on the team as six other players are averaging double-digits.
For the Grizzlies to cover the spread against the Clippers on Wednesday, they will not only need to have a big offensive night but will need to bring a lot of intensity on the defensive end of the floor in order to slow down and contain Paul George.
Why The Clippers Could Cover The Spread
The Clippers have been very impressive since the addition of a few new players, including Rajon Rondo and DeMarcus Cousins.
Coach Tyronn Lue's squad has improved their offensive rating to the 2nd best and their defensive rating to the 11th best in the association.
Offensively, the Clippers are being led on both ends of the floor by their dynamic duo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. Leonard so far this season has been averaging 25.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game this season. PG13 has been putting up 23.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. The two have also been very efficient from the field shooting nearly 50 percent and almost 40 percent from behind the three-point line.
The problem for the Clippers was never with George or Leonard but trying to find consistent production from players off the bench that can also create plays and score the ball. The recent additions of Rajon Rondo and Demarcus Cousins give Coach Lue this off the bench and should take some of the pressure and load off of the Clippers' stars. Also, Leonard is out for the next week with foot soreness, leaving George to carry the load.
The key for the Clippers to cover the spread against the Grizzlies is simple and that is to force the ball out of Morant's hands who is the main ball handler and offensive weapon for Coach Jenkins.
Final Grizzlies-Clippers Prediction & Pick
The Clippers are arguably the best offensive team in the league and a better defensive team than they get credit for while the Grizzlies rank in the middle of the league in both categories.
Lue also has Rondo and Cousins at his disposal off the bench in addition to George while Jenkins biggest offensive threat is just Morant who will most likely struggle against a more talented defensive team in the Clippers and particular a bigger and better defensive player in George.
For those reasons, the Clippers should cover the spread and pick up their third straight win on Wednesday against the Grizzlies.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION & PICK FOR GRIZZLIES-CLIPPERS: MEM 112, LAC 126 (LAC -2)
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