Memphis Grizzlies at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 1/20/2018

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Memphis Grizzlies travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, January 20, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 4 point favorites.

The Grizzlies head into this matchup with a mark of 15-28. They are 4th in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.9 as they are averaging 99.3 points per contest while giving up 102.2 per game. The Pelicans have an overall mark of 23-21. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 110.8 points per contest and giving up 110.7, which is a point differential of 0.1.

Valuable Memphis Grizzlies Betting Trends

The Memphis Grizzlies are 18-24-1 against the spread

The Memphis Grizzlies are 16-26-1 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 24-20-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 26-18-0 against the over/under

Key Memphis Grizzlies Injuries

11/17/17 PG Mike Conley Achilles is out indefinitely
01/19/18 PG Andrew Harrison Shoulder is probable Friday vs Sacramento
01/18/18 F Brandan Wright Illness is "?" Friday vs Sacramento
01/18/18 C Marc Gasol Illness is "?" Friday vs Sacramento
01/15/18 F Chandler Parsons Knee is out indefinitely

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/12/17 G Tony Allen Knee is out indefinitely
10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Marc Gasol averages 18.4 points per game in 34.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4 assists per contest and 8.6 rebounds per game for Memphis. His field goal percentage is 42% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%. Tyreke Evans comes into this contest averaging 19.7 points per game while playing 31.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Grizzlies. He pulls down 5.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is currently at 79%.

Player Spotlight

Demarcus Cousins averages 25.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 12.7 rebounds per contest and 5.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 75%. Jrue Holiday averages 18.6 points per game while playing 36.9 minutes per contest this year for the Pelicans. He grabs 4.4 rebounds per game and has 5.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage currently is at 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Grizzlies allow 102.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 7th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 7th and 26th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.3 rebounds a game which ranks 11th, and they give up 20.9 assists per contest which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 14.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the league. Memphis averages 99.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 29th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.93 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 26th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 25th in the league. They average 40.2 rebounds per game and 20.7 assists per game, which ranks them 28th and 29th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 21st with 14.1 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans surrender 110.7 points per contest, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 16th in those defensive statistics. They rank 26th with 24.3 assists allowed per contest, and 18th with 43.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 13th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.5 per game this season. New Orleans is 4th in the league with 110.8 points per game this year. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 49%, while their average scoring margin is 0.07. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 9th in the NBA. They are 18th in the league in rebounding with 42.9 boards per game and 2nd in assists per contest with 26.3. The Pelicans are 3rd in turnovers per game with 15.9.

Advanced Statistics

The Grizzlies are 24th in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.8, and their defensive rating of 108.9 is ranked 12th. In terms of pace they are 30th in the league with 93.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 27th. As a team they are 21st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 18th in the league. Memphis is 13th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 20th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 3rd in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 15th in the NBA. The Pelicans are 7th in the league in defensive rating with 110, and their offensive rating of 110.1 is ranked 7th. They are 6th in the NBA in pace with 99.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 3rd. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 12th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New Orleans -4

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