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New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies Game Prediction
New Orleans heads to FedExForum to face Memphis on Friday night, and the headline is availability: Ja Morant is out (UCL sprain), forcing the Grizzlies to win with half-court execution and defense instead of pure pace. The Pelicans are trying to stop the bleeding after a brutal stretch, but their slow starts and turnover issues keep putting them in chase mode.
If you’re tracking team context and matchup notes, start with the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans hubs, then compare today’s market on the NBA odds board.
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Pelicans vs Grizzlies Odds
| Market | New Orleans | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | +226 | -274 |
| Spread | +7.5 | -7.5 |
| Total | o238.5 | u238.5 |
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Form
New Orleans has been living on thin margins. They’ve dropped 14 of their last 16, and the pattern is consistent: falling behind early, then needing perfect offense to climb back. The injury list has contributed (Herb Jones questionable, Jose Alvarado out), but the larger issue is that their defense has not held up when opponents speed the game up.
Memphis Grizzlies Betting Form
Memphis has been inconsistent even before Morant’s latest setback, and the recent profile looks rough: 3-7 straight up and 3-6-1 ATS over the last 10 per Fox’s trend capsule. Without Morant, the Grizzlies have to generate offense through cleaner spacing, early-clock threes, and second-chance pressure instead of late-clock creation.
Matchup Breakdown
1) Shot quality vs. volume
Morant being out removes the easiest rim pressure Memphis has. That usually means more jumpers, and it puts a premium on offensive rebounding and free throws to keep efficiency afloat. New Orleans can survive stretches defensively if they finish possessions, but they have not been reliable on the glass during this slide.
2) The first six minutes matter
The Pelicans have repeatedly played from behind, and that is a bad script in a road spot where Memphis can turn stops into quick points. If New Orleans opens the game flat again, the spread becomes live early because Memphis can build separation without needing elite half-court offense.
3) Who handles the ball late
Memphis’ late-game offense becomes committee-based without Morant. That increases turnover risk, but it also spreads creation across multiple players and can be harder to load up on if the ball moves. New Orleans’ best chance to hang is to stay attached early, then pressure those late possessions into tough jumpers.
Latest Betting Trends
- Memphis has been a better ATS team at home than on the road this season (per the same trend roundup).
- New Orleans has been closer to a coin-flip over team overall, which keeps totals volatile in games where pace swings late.
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Best Bets and Prediction
Memphis is the side I want, even with Morant out, because New Orleans keeps giving opponents extra possessions and early leads. If the Grizzlies defend the arc with discipline and force New Orleans to score in the half court, this sets up as a grind that still lands on a Memphis cover more often than not.
Best Bet: Grizzlies -7.5
Picks and Handicappers
For more plays beyond one side, check the full NBA picks board and today’s NBA previews for matchup-specific angles. If you want a sharper workflow, the NBA Expert Betting Guide helps you line-shop, manage risk, and spot better live-betting entry points. When you’re ready to scale up, you can buy picks and track proven performers on the handicapper leaderboard so you’re following results, not hype.
