The Memphis Grizzlies (12-26) square off with the Washington Wizards (22-16) at FedExForum. The game starts at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday, January 5, 2018, and will air on ESPN.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 207 points with Washington opening as a 4.5-point favorite.
Washington Wizards vs. Memphis Grizzlies Betting Prediction
The Wizards will be looking for a similar outcome after blowing out the New York Knicks in their last outing, 121-103. The Wizards, who came into the game averaging an effective field goal percentage of 0.516, had a ridiculous mark of 0.648, while the Knicks had a free throw rate of 0.163 (below the 0.212 mark opponents have averaged against Washington this season). With 27 points on 11-for-14 shooting, Bradley Beal was the game’s leading scorer.
The last time the Grizzlies played, they lost to the Los Angeles Clippers, 113-105. Los Angeles was effective at getting to and converting from the free throw line. The Clippers made 26 of their 31 free throws (83.9 percent), while the Grizzlies were just 21-33 (63.6 percent). With 18 points on 5-for-13 shooting, Tyreke Evans was Memphis’ leading scorer.
The offense of Memphis will square off against the top-notch defense of Washington. The Grizzlies rank 24th in offensive efficiency, while the Wizards are eighth in defensive efficiency. The Wizards should have the advantage on that side of the ball.
Washington comes into the game with records of 22-16 straight up (SU) and 19-19 against the spread (ATS). Wizards games tend to finish under the total (60.5 percent).
Meanwhile, Memphis owns records of 12-26 SU and 13-23-2 ATS. Coinciding with Washington, Grizzlies games also tend to go under the total (60.5 percent).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Beal (24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals) has been great for the Wizards while Evans (27.0 points, 7.4 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals) has made great contributions to the Grizzlies.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Beal had 18 points and seven assists and the Wizards defeated the Grizzlies 93-87 but did not cover as 7.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 180 points, which was 19.5 points below the projected point total of 199.5 points. Washington had a better effective field goal percentage (0.526 vs. 0.444). Memphis, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (20.8 vs. 14.0).
Washington Wizards vs. Memphis Grizzlies Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Wizards, ATS Winner – Wizards, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Washington is 11-8 ATS with 14 unders and 5 overs.
Memphis is 5-13-1 ATS at home with 14 unders and 5 overs.
Memphis is 9-8 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Washington is 13-1.
In games where they score over 100 points, the Grizzlies are 7-8 and the Wizards are 19-7.
Washington ranks 12th in assists per game (22.8) while Memphis ranks 28th (20.7).
The Grizzlies rank third in points allowed in the paint per game (40.6) while the Wizards rank 17th (44.7).
Washington ranks 16th in rebounds per game (43.4) while Memphis ranks 29th (39.6).
The Wizards rank 13th in second chance points per game (13.0) while the Grizzlies rank 25th (10.4).
Washington averages 11.0 fast break points per game, which ranks 14th in the NBA. Memphis ranks 23rd in fast break points allowed per game (13.2).
The Grizzlies rank sixth in blocks per game (5.2) while the Wizards rank 12th in blocks allowed per game (4.6).
Washington ranks third in steals allowed per game (6.8) while Memphis ranks fifth (6.8).
The Wizards rank eighth in points off turnovers per game (18.1) while the Grizzlies rank ninth in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Washington is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs, 1 under and 1 push.
Memphis is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Wizards’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.8, up from 2.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Grizzlies have scored an average of 110.6 points per game (11.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 109.6 points per game (7.2 above their season average).
