Miami Heat at Memphis Grizzlies NBA Picks & Predictions 12/14/2018

Friday, December 14, 2018

FedExForum

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Miami Heat travel to FedExForum to play the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, December 14, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Memphis as 5.5 point favorites.

The Heat have a record of 11-16. They are 3rd in the Southeast Division. They have a point differential of -1.3 as they average 107.2 points per game while giving up 108.6 per contest. The Grizzlies have an overall mark of 16-11. They currently are 1st in the Southwest Division. They total 102.9 points per contest and give up 102.1, which is a point differential of 0.9.

Valuable Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 13-14-0 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 14-12-0 against the over/under

Important Memphis Grizzlies Betting Trends

The Memphis Grizzlies are 16-11-0 against the spread

The Memphis Grizzlies are 11-16-0 against the over/under

Key Miami Heat Injuries

12/13/18 PG Goran Dragic Knee is downgraded to doubtful Friday vs Memphis
12/13/18 C Hassan Whiteside Personal is upgraded to probable Friday vs Memphis
10/11/18 G Dion Waiters Ankle is out indefinitely

Key Memphis Grizzlies Injuries

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

Player Spotlight

Hassan Whiteside averages 13.5 points per game in 26.9 minutes per contest. He averages 0.8 assists per contest and 13.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 52% for the year while his free throw percentage is 47%. Josh Richardson comes into this contest averaging 18.5 points per game while playing 34.6 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage is at 84%.

Player Spotlight

Mike Conley averages 20.3 points per game and he sees the court an average of 33.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.4 rebounds per contest and 6.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 83%. Jaren Jackson averages 13.1 points per game while playing 25.2 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.6 rebounds per game and has 1.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is at 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Heat allow 108.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 10th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 6th and 27th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.1 rebounds a game which ranks 20th, and they give up 22.0 assists per contest which puts them in 6th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the league. Miami averages 107.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.3 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 30th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 8th in the league. They average 47.1 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per contest, which ranks them 8th and 22nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 10th with 14.8 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Grizzlies surrender 102.1 points per contest, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 13th in those defensive statistics. They rank 7th with 22.6 assists allowed per contest, and 17th with 45.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Grizzlies are 26th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.0 per game. Memphis is 28th in the league with 102.9 points per game this year. They are 17th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 0.9. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 9th in the NBA. They are 30th in the league in rebounding with 39.9 boards per game and 19th in assists per contest with 23.3. The Grizzlies are 26th in turnovers per game with 12.9.

Advanced Statistics

The Heat are 25th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.9, and their defensive rating of 108.2 is ranked 11th. In terms of pace they are 13th in the league with 99.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 26th. As a team they are 29th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 8th in the league. Miami is 10th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 21st in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Memphis is 21st in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the NBA. The Grizzlies are 26th in the league in defensive rating with 105.8, and their offensive rating of 106.6 is ranked 5th. They are 30th in the NBA in pace with 95 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 19th. As a unit they are 18th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 22nd in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Miami +5.5

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