The Memphis Grizzlies (44-22) host the New Orleans Pelicans (27-37) Tuesday at the FedExForum for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off. Below we look at the Pelicans vs. Grizzlies odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
NOLA had its 4-game winning streak — 4-0 against the spread (ATS) — snapped Sunday with a 138-130 overtime loss at the Denver Nuggets, failing to cover as 4.5-point road underdogs.
Memphis is 3-3 straight up (SU) and ATS since the All-Star break with its last game being a 123-112 upset loss at the Houston Rockets as 10.5-point road favorites.
These teams are tied 1-1 SU and ATS this season, both in NOLA, and the total is 1-1 Over/Under in those games.
- Money line (ML): Pelicans +175 (bet $100 to win $175) | Grizzlies -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Pelicans +5.5 (-112) | Grizzlies -5.5 (-108)
- Over/Under: 231.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
Pelicans at Grizzlies key injuries
Pelicans
- None
Grizzlies
- SG Dillon Brooks (ankle) out
Pelicans at Grizzlies odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Pelicans 115, Grizzlies 112
Money line
Slight “LEAN” to the PELICANS (+175) for a small wager, if at all, because NOLA plus the points is the much sharper play.
The Pelicans have the best adjusted net rating and ATS margin over the past two weeks, according to CleaningTheGlass.com (CTG).
Also, NOLA’s SU and ATS loss at Denver Sunday is a misleading result. That game was a seesaw battle where the Pelicans rallied from a 21-point deficit to take an 11-point second-half lead before losing as Nuggets’ big Nikola Jokic went all-world in the fourth quarter and overtime.
However, the Pelicans match up very well with the Grizzlies stylistically and there’s value in NOLA stealing this game outright.
Pelicans former All-Star wing Brandon Ingram has been playing at an All-NBA-caliber level since the All-Star game and Ingram’s Pelicans are 6-0 SU versus the Grizzlies when PG Ja Morant is active. Morant was sidelined with an ankle injury for Memphis’s victory over NOLA earlier this season.
Again, if you do take NOLA’s ML, I’d only go LITE on the PELICANS (+175) with the plan of hitting their spread harder.