Denver Nuggets at Memphis Grizzlies NBA Picks & Predictions 3/17/2018
Saturday, March 17, 2018
FedExForum
Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.
The Denver Nuggets head to FedExForum to take on the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, March 17, 2018. The opening line for this game has Denver as 5 point favorites.
The Nuggets come into this game with an overall record of 38-31. They are 5th in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 1.3 as they are averaging 109.3 points per game while giving up 108.0 per contest. The Grizzlies have an overall mark of 18-50. They currently are 5th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 98.7 points per contest and giving up 104.2, which is a point differential of -5.5.
Valuable Denver Nuggets Betting Trends
The Denver Nuggets are 31-35-3 against the spread
The Denver Nuggets are 35-34-0 against the over/under
Important Memphis Grizzlies Betting Trends
The Memphis Grizzlies are 28-38-2 against the spread
The Memphis Grizzlies are 29-38-1 against the over/under
Key Denver Nuggets Injuries
03/16/18 G Gary Harris Leg left last game, is "?" Saturday vs Memphis
Key Memphis Grizzlies Injuries
11/17/17 PG Mike Conley Achilles is out for season
03/05/18 G Andrew Harrison Wrist is out indefinitely
03/05/18 G Mario Chalmers Hamstring is out indefinitely
Player Spotlight
Nikola Jokic comes into this game averaging 17.2 points per contest while playing 31.5 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 10.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 6.1 assists per game. His FG percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is 85%. Gary Harris averages 17.7 points per contest in 34.8 minutes per game this year. He averages 3 assists per game and 2.7 rebounds per contest for Denver. His field goal percentage is 49% for the season while his free throw percentage is 83%.
Player Spotlight
Marc Gasol has scored 17.8 points per contest while playing 33.8 minutes per game this season for the Grizzlies. He hauls in 8.5 rebounds per contest and has 4.1 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. JaMychal Green averages 10.5 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 27.8 minutes per game. He also brings in 8.1 rebounds per game and 1.5 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 75%.
Useful Team Statistics
Denver averages 109.3 points per contest this year, which is 7th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 1.28 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 7th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 8th in the NBA. They average 44.2 boards per contest and 25 assists per game, which ranks them 10th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 7th with 15.2 per game. The Nuggets allow 108 points per contest which is 22nd in the NBA. They also surrender a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 30th and 26th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41.1 rebounds a game which ranks 1st, and they allow 24.5 assists per game which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the NBA.
Useful Team Statistics
Memphis is 30th in the NBA with 98.7 points per contest this season. They are 27th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -5.44. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 27th in the league. They are 29th in the NBA in rebounding with 40.5 boards per contest and 26th in assists per game with 21.4. The Grizzlies are 10th in turnovers per contest with 14.9. The Grizzlies give up 104.2 points per game, which ranks them 8th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 14th and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 7th with 21.5 dimes allowed per game and 9th with 42.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Grizzlies are 21st in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.8 per contest this year.
Advanced Statistics
The Nuggets are 6th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.9, and their defensive rating of 110.6 is ranked 9th. In terms of pace they are 15th in the league with 97.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 6th. As a team they are 6th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 10th in the league. Denver is 6th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 2nd in the league.
Advanced Statistics
Memphis is 4th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 16th in the league. The Grizzlies are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.3, and their defensive rating of 110 is ranked 11th. In terms of pace they are 30th in the league with 94.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 29th. As a team they are 27th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 20th in the league.
Who will win tonight's Nuggets/Grizzlies NBA game against the spread?
Josh's Pick: Take Denver -5
Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here
Read more articles by Josh Schonwald
Get all of Today's Free NBA Picks & Expert Advice
Get all of Today's NBA Best Bets