Knicks vs. Grizzlies Pick
Will the Memphis Grizzlies have any trouble at home when they host the New York Knicks tonight at 8PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Memphis is the clear favorite, as the Grizzlies are getting odds of -13 points against the Knicks. The over/under total is listed at 195 points. These two have met just one time this season, with the Knicks picking up a 1111-104 victory at home on Oct. 29.
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New York is coming off a 106-103 loss to the Wizards at home on Friday night. New York is now 30-49 on the season. However, the Knicks have covered in three of their last four games and five of their last seven to move to 42-37 ATS on the season. New York is averaging 104.5 points per game on offense while allowing 108 on defense. Over its last five, New York is scoring just 96.6 points per game and giving up 101.2 on defense. It’s unclear just who will suit up tonight for New York, as Kristaps Porzingis is questionable with a back injury, but Carmelo Anthony is expected to play despite nothing being at stake. He is averaging 22.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
Memphis is in a bit of a funk, as it has lost three straight following a 103-100 defeat to the Thunder at home on Wednesday. Memphis is now 42-37 on the season, having clinched a playoff spot. The Grizzlies are unlikely to move out of the seventh seed in the West. The Grizz sit at 40-39 against the spread this season, as they average 100.7 points per game on offense while allowing 100.1 on defense. Over its last five, Memphis puts up 100.2 on offense while allowing just 98.6. Mike Conley is leading the team with 20.5 points and 6.4 assists per game while Marc Gasol is adding 19.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
This game may not be overly competitive, as neither team has anything to really play for. Memphis is locked in at 7 and won’t want to risk injury to top players while the Knicks have been in cruise control to the lottery for weeks. Carmelo may be playing for personal pride, so he could have a big game, but the Grizzlies’ defense should be too much for him to lead the Knicks to a cover.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES -13