New Orleans Pelicans at Memphis Grizzlies NBA Picks & Predictions 10/18/2017

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

FedExForum

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New Orleans Pelicans head to FedExForum to take on the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. The opening line for this game has Memphis as 2.5 point favorites.

The Pelicans head into this matchup after finishing last year with a mark of 34-48. They were 4th in the Southwest Division. They had a point differential of -2.1 as they averaged 104.3 points per contest while giving up 106.4 per game. The Grizzlies had an overall mark of 43-39 last year. They were 3rd in the Southwest Division. They averaged 100.5 points per contest and gave up 100.0, which was a point differential of 0.5.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans were 38-42-2 against the spread last season

The New Orleans Pelicans were 38-44-0 against the over/under last year

Important Memphis Grizzlies Betting Trends

The Memphis Grizzlies were 41-41-0 against the spread last season

The Memphis Grizzlies were 39-42-1 against the over/under last year

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/14/17 G Rajon Rondo Hernia out indefinitely
10/14/17 Tony Allen Ankle "?" Wednesday vs. Memphis
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring out indefinitely

Key Memphis Grizzlies Injuries

10/14/17 G Ben McLemore Foot out indefinitely
10/14/17 G Wayne Seldon Quad "?" Wednesday vs. New Orleans

Player Spotlight

Demarcus Cousins comes into this game after averaging 27 points per contest while playing 34.2 minutes per night last year. He grabbed 11 rebounds per contest and distributed 4.6 assists per game. His FG percentage was 45% while his free throw percentage was 77%. Anthony Davis averaged 28 points per contest in 36.1 minutes per game last year. He averaged 2.1 assists per game and 11.8 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage was 51% for the season while his free throw percentage was 80%.

Player Spotlight

Marc Gasol scored 19.5 points per contest while playing 34.2 minutes per game last season. He hauled in 6.3 rebounds per contest and had 4.6 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage was 46% and his free throw percentage finished at 84%. Mike Conley averaged 20.5 points per game last year and he saw the court an average of 33.2 minutes per game. He also brought in 3.5 rebounds per game and had 6.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage was 46% and his free throw percentage was 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averaged 104.3 points per contest last year, which was 18th in the league. Their average scoring margin was -2.1 and their shooting percentage was 45% as a unit, which had them ranked 20th. From 3-point territory they shot 35%, which was good for 19th in the NBA. They averaged 43.7 boards per contest and 22.8 assists per game, which ranked them 13th and 12th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they were 26th with 12.9 per game. The Pelicans allowed 106.4 points per contest, which was 17th in the NBA. They also surrendered a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 9th and 10th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents averaged 48.3 rebounds a game which ranked 30th, and they allowed 23.4 assists per game which put them in 20th place in the league. They forced 14 turnovers per game which ranked them 15th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Memphis was 29th in the NBA with 100.5 points per contest last season. They were 30th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin was 0.49. They shot 35% from beyond the arc, which was good for 17th in the league. They were 23rd in the NBA in rebounding with 42.8 boards per contest and 21st in assists per game with 21.3. The Grizzlies were 25th in turnovers per contest with 12.9. The Grizzlies gave up 100 points per game, which ranked them 3rd in the league. Their defense surrendered a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 2nd and 11th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 3rd with 20.1 dimes allowed per game and 6th with 42.1 boards surrendered per contest. The Grizzlies were 17th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per contest last year.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans were 26th in the league in defensive rating with 107.4, and their offensive rating of 105.2 was ranked 22nd. They were 8th in the NBA in pace with 98 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% was 20th. As a unit they were 22nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 16th in the NBA. New Orleans was 27th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 11.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 51%, which was 19th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Memphis was 23rd in the league in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 51%, which was 25th in the NBA. The Grizzlies were 18th in the league in defensive rating with 107.1, and their offensive rating of 107.7 was ranked 24th. They were 28th in the NBA in pace with 92.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% was 28th. As a unit they were 26th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 13th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Pelicans/Grizzlies NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take New Orleans -2.5

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