Memphis Grizzlies at Charlotte Hornets NBA Picks & Predictions 3/22/2018

Thursday, March 22, 2018

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The Memphis Grizzlies travel to Spectrum Center to play the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, March 22, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Charlotte as 4 point favorites.

The Grizzlies come into this game with an overall record of 19-51. They are 5th in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -5.2 as they are averaging 99.0 points per game while giving up 104.2 per contest. The Hornets have an overall mark of 30-41. They currently are 3rd in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 107.0 points per contest and giving up 107.9, which is a point differential of -0.9.

Valuable Memphis Grizzlies Betting Trends

The Memphis Grizzlies are 30-38-2 against the spread

The Memphis Grizzlies are 30-39-1 against the over/under

Important Charlotte Hornets Betting Trends

The Charlotte Hornets are 29-38-4 against the spread

The Charlotte Hornets are 36-33-2 against the over/under

Key Memphis Grizzlies Injuries

11/17/17 PG Mike Conley Achilles is out for season
03/20/18 C Marc Gasol Illness is upgraded to probable Wednesday vs Philadelphia
03/20/18 G Tyreke Evans Undisclosed is upgraded to probable Wednesday vs Philadelphia

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

03/20/18 F Nicolas Batum Achilles is downgraded to doubtful Wednesday vs Brooklyn
03/19/18 F Cody Zeller Knee is "?" Wednesday vs Brooklyn
03/09/18 G Michael Carter-Williams Shoulder is out for season

Player Spotlight

Marc Gasol comes into this contest averaging 17.7 points per game while playing 33.8 minutes per night so far this season for the Grizzlies. He pulls down 8.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is currently at 83%. JaMychal Green averages 10.5 points per game in 27.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.5 assists per contest and 8.3 rebounds per game for Memphis. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 73%.

Player Spotlight

Dwight Howard averages 16.3 points per game while playing 30.5 minutes per contest this year for the Hornets. He grabs 12 rebounds per game and has 1.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 55% and his free throw percentage currently is at 57%. Kemba Walker averages 22.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.2 rebounds per contest and 5.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

Memphis averages 99 points per contest this season, which ranks them 30th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -5.23 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 27th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 27th in the league. They average 40.6 rebounds per game and 21.4 assists per game, which ranks them 28th and 26th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 8th with 14.9 per game. The Grizzlies allow 104.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 9th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 13th and 15th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.4 rebounds a game which ranks 9th and they give up 21.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 6th place in the league. They force 14.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte is 13th in the league with 107 points per game this year. They are 26th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -0.93. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They are 4th in the league in rebounding with 44.9 boards per game, and 28th in assists per contest with 21.3. The Hornets are 28th in turnovers per game with 12.5. The Hornets surrender 107.9 points per contest, which ranks them 20th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 22nd and 28th in those defensive statistics. They rank 26th with 24.7 assists allowed per contest and 19th with 43.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hornets are 7th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.9 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Grizzlies are 27th in the league in defensive rating with 110.1, and their offensive rating of 104.5 is ranked 11th. They are 30th in the NBA in pace with 94.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 29th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 20th in the NBA. Memphis is 4th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 16th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Charlotte is 30th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 7th in the NBA. The Hornets are 15th in the league in defensive rating with 109.3, and their offensive rating of 108.4 is ranked 15th. They are 8th in the NBA in pace with 98.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 27th. As a unit they are 24th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 23rd in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Charlotte -4

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