Sacramento Kings vs Memphis Grizzlies Prediction, 12/31/2023 Preview and Pick

Game: Sacramento Kings vs Memphis Grizzlies

Date: Sunday, December 31, 2023

Location: FedExForum in Memphis, TN

TV: Bally Sports Southeast-Memphis

The Memphis Grizzlies (10-20) host the Sacramento Kings (17-12) at FedExForum on Sunday.

The Kings took the court against the Trail Blazers and took a loss by a final of 130-113 in their last contest. Sacramento ended the contest with a 48.4% FG percentage (45 out of 93) and made 10 of 42 three-point shots. From the free throw line, the Kings converted 13 of 16 tries for a rate of 81.3%. With respect to getting rebounds, they earned 40 with 11 of them being of the offensive variety. They also recorded 25 assists for the contest while forcing the other team into 7 turnovers and earning 5 steals. In regard to the defense, Sacramento allowed the other team to shoot 50.0% from the floor on 49 of 98 shooting. Portland distributed 28 dimes and had 5 steals for this game. Additionally, Portland pulled down 46 rebounds (16 offensive, 30 defensive) and earned 7 rejections. Portland went 80.0% at the charity stripe by burying 16 of 20 shots. They knocked down 16 of their 40 shots from long range. With respect to fouls, the Kings ended up with 16 and the Trail Blazers accounted for 17 fouls.

De'Aaron Fox is one player who was a major factor for the matchup. Fox finished 61.5% from the field and also dished out 4 assists. He played for 38 minutes played and also collected 8 rebounds. He ended up finishing with 43 points on 16 out of 26 shooting.

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Sacramento steps onto the hardwood with a mark of 17-12 so far this season. They lose possession via turnover 13.3 times per game and as a unit are committing 20.6 personal fouls on a nightly basis. As a team, Sacramento is grabbing 43.1 boards per game and has tallied 822 assists on the year, which is 10th in basketball in terms of passing the rock. The Kings are hitting 36.4% on three-point shots (437 of 1,202) and 74.0% from the free throw line. They have an average of 117.4 points per outing (8th in the NBA) while hitting 47.2% from the field.

On defense, the Kings are forcing their opponents into 13.7 turnovers per game and they draw 19.5 personal fouls. They are relinquishing 37.8% on shots from downtown while they are 22nd in the NBA in points per game allowed (117.9). The Kings defense is giving up a field goal percentage of 49.0% (1,256 of 2,563) and they relinquish 43.8 rebounds per contest as a unit. They are currently ranked 14th in the league in allowing assists to their opponents with 789 conceded for the year.

For their last game, the Grizzlies walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 142-105 when they faced the Nuggets. The Grizzlies recorded 25 defensive boards and 11 offensive boards totaling 36 for this contest. They turned the ball over 11 times, while earning 8 steals in this game. The Nuggets were called for 19 fouls for the game which took the Grizzlies to the charity stripe for a total of 25 shots. They were able to make 18 of the free throw attempts for a percentage of 72.0%. Pertaining to shooting from beyond the arc, Memphis made 13 out of 35 attempts (37.1%). When the final whistle blew, the Grizzlies shot 37 for 89 from the floor which gave them a shooting percentage of 41.6%. The Grizzlies allowed the Nuggets to bury 55 of their 96 attempts from the field which gave them a percentage of 57.3% for the matchup. They finished the game shooting 48.8% from distance via 20 of 41 and walked away from this one shooting 12 of 14 from the free throw line (85.7%). In relation to team rebounding, Memphis allowed Denver to snag 53 in all (12 on the offensive glass).

Desmond Bane was important for the Grizzlies in this contest. He made 9 of 13 in this matchup for a field goal percentage of 69.2%, and had 1 rebound. Bane had 23 points in his 25 minutes of playing time and added 2 dimes in the matchup.

Memphis has a mark of 10-20 for the season. The Grizzlies are responsible for committing 20.7 fouls per game and they connect on 77.0% from the free throw line. Their rate of earning assists is at 24.0 times per game (27th in the league) and they turn it over 14.9 times per contest. Memphis has totaled 3,218 points on the season (107.3 per contest) and they collect 42.4 rebounds per game. As an offensive team, the Grizzlies are connecting on 43.9% from the field, which has them ranked 29th in the league.

The Grizzlies on the defensive side of the court are 13th in basketball in PPG allowed with 113.4. They are forcing their opponents into 15.4 TO's every game and allow teams to shoot 46.0% from the floor (8th in the NBA). The Memphis defense allows 38.9% on shots from behind the 3-point line (428 of 1,101) and their opponents are knocking down 79.3% of their free throw shots. They allow 25.9 dimes and 45.7 rebounds every game, which is ranked 13th and 26th in the NBA.

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

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Sacramento

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