Denver Nuggets at Memphis Grizzlies NBA Picks & Predictions 3/2/2018

Friday, March 2, 2018

FedExForum

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Denver Nuggets head to FedExForum to take on the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, March 2, 2018. The opening line for this game has Denver as 5 point favorites.

The Nuggets head into this matchup with a mark of 33-28. They are 4th in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.9 as they are averaging 108.4 points per contest while giving up 107.5 per game. The Grizzlies have an overall mark of 18-42. They currently are 5th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 98.9 points per contest and giving up 103.5, which is a point differential of -4.6.

Valuable Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets are 28-30-3 against the spread

The Denver Nuggets are 30-31-0 against the over/under

Important Memphis Grizzlies Betting Trends

The Memphis Grizzlies are 26-33-1 against the spread

The Memphis Grizzlies are 26-33-1 against the over/under

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Memphis Grizzlies Injuries

11/17/17 PG Mike Conley Achilles is out for season
03/01/18 F Chandler Parsons Illness is doubtful Friday vs Denver
03/01/18 G Tyreke Evans Ribs is "?" Friday vs Denver
03/01/18 SG Wayne Selden Knee is "?" Friday vs Denver

Player Spotlight

Gary Harris comes into this game averaging 17.5 points per contest while playing 34.9 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 2.7 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.1 assists per game. His FG percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is 81%. Nikola Jokic averages 17.2 points per contest in 31.5 minutes per game this year. He averages 6 assists per game and 10.6 rebounds per contest for Denver. His field goal percentage is 49% for the season while his free throw percentage is 85%.

Player Spotlight

JaMychal Green has scored 10.4 points per contest while playing 27 minutes per game this season for the Grizzlies. He hauls in 7.9 rebounds per contest and has 1.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 75%. Marc Gasol averages 17.7 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 33.9 minutes per game. He also brings in 8.5 rebounds per game and 4 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 108.4 points per contest this year, which is 8th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.92 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 9th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 11th in the NBA. They average 44.3 boards per contest and 24.7 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 8th with 15.2 per game. The Nuggets allow 107.5 points per contest which is 20th 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 40.9 rebounds a game which ranks 1st, and they allow 24.4 assists per game which puts them in 25th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Memphis is 30th in the NBA with 98.9 points per contest this season. They are 27th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -4.6. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 27th in the league. They are 27th in the NBA in rebounding with 40.6 boards per contest and 27th in assists per game with 21.2. The Grizzlies are 11th in turnovers per contest with 15. The Grizzlies give up 103.5 points per game, which ranks them 5th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 9th and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 7th with 21.4 dimes allowed per game and 8th with 42.2 boards surrendered per contest. The Grizzlies are 16th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.5 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 6th in the league in defensive rating with 110.4, and their offensive rating of 111.4 is ranked 7th. They are 16th in the NBA in pace with 96.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 7th. As a unit they are 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 9th in the NBA. Denver is 7th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 3rd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Memphis is 4th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 18th in the league. The Grizzlies are 27th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.7, and their defensive rating of 109.6 is ranked 10th. In terms of pace they are 30th in the league with 94.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 29th. As a team they are 26th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 19th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Memphis +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