Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets - 12/28/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Memphis Grizzlies vs Denver Nuggets

Date: Saturday, December 28, 2019

Location: Pepsi Center in Denver, CO

TV: Altitude

Odds/Point Spread: Denver -10

Total/Over-Under: 216.5

Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies (12-20, 4th in the Southwest Division) head to Pepsi Center on Saturday where they'll meet the Denver Nuggets (21-9, 1st in the Northwest Division). Memphis opens this game as 10 point underdogs. The O/U has been set at 216.5.

The Grizzlies are covering the spread 46.9% of the time, having gone 15-17-0 ATS. Denver covers the spread 44.4% of the time, going 12-15-3 against the spread.

Key Memphis Grizzlies Injuries

12/25/2019 Andre Iguodala SG Not Injury Related Expected to be out until at least Jan 31

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Ja Morant comes into this contest averaging 17.9 points per game while playing 29.2 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 79%. Jaren Jackson averages 17.6 points per game in 27.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.6 assists per contest and 4.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 75%.

Player Spotlight

Nikola Jokic averages 17.6 points per game while playing 31.3 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 10.0 rebounds per game and has 6.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Jamal Murray averages 17.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.3 rebounds per contest and 4.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 90%.

Useful Team Statistics

Memphis averages 110.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 15th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -5.6 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 12th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 16th in the league. They average 45.0 rebounds per game and 26.9 assists per game, which ranks them 18th and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 8th with 15.9 per game. The Grizzlies allow 116.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 26th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 22nd and 25th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.2 rebounds a game which ranks 12th and they give up 25.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 14.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 14th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver is 23rd in the league with 107.5 points per game this year. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 5.1. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 15th in the NBA. They are 13th in the league in rebounding with 45.6 boards per game, and 5th in assists per contest with 26.6. The Nuggets are 24th in turnovers per game with 14.0. The Nuggets surrender 102.5 points per contest, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 31% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 1st in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 23.5 assists allowed per contest and 8th with 44.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Nuggets are 13th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Grizzlies are 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.2, and their defensive rating of 112.6 is ranked 25th. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 103.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 14th. As a team they are 18th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 21st in the league. Memphis is 9th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 8th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Denver is 21st in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 25th in the league. The Nuggets are 14th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.4, and their defensive rating of 104.2 is ranked 3rd. In terms of pace they are 29th in the league with 97.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 20th. As a team they are 22nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 27th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Memphis +10

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