Memphis Grizzlies at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 12/7/2018

Friday, December 7, 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 Friday, December 7, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 5.5 point favorites.

The Grizzlies have a record of 14-9. They are 1st in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of 1.7 as they average 104.0 points per game while giving up 102.3 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall mark of 13-13. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They total 118.7 points per contest and give up 116.3, which is a point differential of 2.4.

Valuable Memphis Grizzlies Betting Trends

The Memphis Grizzlies are 14-9-0 against the spread

The Memphis Grizzlies are 10-13-0 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 12-14-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 15-10-0 against the over/under

Key Memphis Grizzlies Injuries

11/23/18 G Dillon Brooks Knee is out indefinitely
10/27/18 SF Chandler Parsons Knee is out indefinitely

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/05/18 F Nikola Mirotic Illness is questionable Friday vs Memphis
11/18/18 PG Elfrid Payton Finger is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jaren Jackson averages 13.9 points per game in 25.5 minutes per contest. He averages 1.3 assists per contest and 4.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 52% for the year while his free throw percentage is 79%. Mike Conley comes into this contest averaging 21.1 points per game while playing 34.1 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is at 82%.

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis averages 27.9 points per game and he sees the court an average of 37.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 12.6 rebounds per contest and 5.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 81%. Jrue Holiday averages 20.4 points per game while playing 36.4 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.4 rebounds per game and has 9.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 75%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Grizzlies allow 102.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 2nd in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 10th and 17th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.0 rebounds a game which ranks 16th, and they give up 22.6 assists per contest which puts them in 7th place in the league. They force 16.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the league. Memphis averages 104.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 27th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.7 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 17th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 7th in the league. They average 39.7 rebounds per game and 23.5 assists per contest, which ranks them 30th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 27th with 12.9 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans surrender 116.3 points per contest, which ranks them 27th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 21st and 22nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 23rd with 25.2 assists allowed per contest, and 9th with 43.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 8th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.3 per game. New Orleans is 2nd in the league with 118.7 points per game this year. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 2.4. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 14th in the NBA. They are 5th in the league in rebounding with 48.0 boards per game and 3rd in assists per contest with 27.2. The Pelicans are 9th in turnovers per game with 14.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Grizzlies are 24th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.5, and their defensive rating of 105.7 is ranked 5th. In terms of pace they are 30th in the league with 95.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 20th. As a team they are 17th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 20th in the league. Memphis is 20th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.8 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 13th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 8th in the league. The Pelicans are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.7, and their defensive rating of 112.4 is ranked 23rd. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 103.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 4th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 25th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take New Orleans -5.5

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 Tony Sink