Monday night's action in the NBA features a matchup with two of the most exciting young teams in the league: the Memphis Grizzlies facing off against the Phoenix Suns. This will be the third time this season the Western Conference foes go toe-to-toe. After the Grizzlies escaped with a narrow four-point win in the first matchup, the Suns never gave them a chance in the second, blowing the Grizz out of the water by 31.
Both squads happen to be among the best teams against the spread in the Association, with the Grizzlies sporting a 20-15 record ATS (good for 4th in the league), while Phoenix stands at the top of the NBA's gambling hierarchy with a league-best 25-12 record ATS. The season series is split, with each team covering once. Let's continue our NBA Odds series and make a Grizzlies Suns prediction and pick.
Here is how the sportsbooks are lining up this one:
NBA Odds: Grizzlies vs. Suns
Phoenix Suns: -7 (-275)
Memphis Grizzlies: +7 (+235)
Over/Under: 227.5
How the Grizzlies Cover
In their first matchup of the season, Ja Morant put on his Superman cape and dominated in the clutch for the Grizzlies. But to get to that point, the Grizz had to keep the affair low scoring, keeping the Suns below 110 points and not allowing a thirty-point quarter.
Easier said than done with the talents of Chris Paul and Devin Booker on the other side, but like the Grizzlies teams of old in order to maximize their potential, Morant and company will have to commit defensively and not hope to merely outscore the Suns. In fact, when the Grizzlies have held teams to under 110 points, they are a whopping 13-3 ATS. The defense is a Grizzlies bettor's best friend.
Offensively, what makes the Grizzlies so dangerous is their balance. Yes, Morant is a budding superstar. But the Grizzlies have five other double-digit scorers and six players who have started at least ten games. The winning combo for the Grizzlies: Defense and versatility. Make sure every basket for Booker and the like is a difficult one and keep the Suns guessing as to who is the most dangerous man on the court at any given time.
How the Suns Cover
The short answer to this is to do exactly what they did in the previous matchup. The Suns stomped on the Grizzlies' necks early, immediately sniffed out and eliminated any comeback attempts, and let the bench cook.
Where the Suns have a decided mismatch is in their experience. Though the core of Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Mikal Bridges don't have a decade of NBA experience between the three of them, offseason additions CP3 and Jae Crowder have it in spades. For a squad as talented as the Suns, taking every game seriously is a learned trait.
And they've learned it. Since their last losing streak, they've played 21 games. 17 have been wins and nine have been by double-digits. Though coming off of a loss against the Indiana Pacers in Caris LeVert's debut for his new team, the Suns have largely been at the peak of their powers over the past month and a half.
They've won with the under in play, they've won with the over in play, the Suns have been a bettors dream this season. With a seven-point spread, the path of least resistance would be to dominate the Grizzlies' starting unit and treating this sub .500 team with all the respect they deserve.
Final Grizzlies Suns Prediction and Pick
The Suns have won with the under in play, they've won with the over in play. They've been a bettors dream this season. With a seven-point spread, the path of least resistance would be to dominate the Grizzlies' starting unit and treating this sub .500 team with all the respect they deserve. Phoenix is certainly a safe bet here for a convincing win.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION & PICK for Grizzlies-Suns: 99-118, Suns -7 (-275)
Follow Us
Subscribe
