Memphis Grizzlies at New Orleans Pelicans Free Pick

The Memphis Grizzlies (24-24) and New Orleans Pelicans (19-29) will square off in the Big Easy for a Western Conference clash on Friday, January 31st, 2020, with a scheduled tip-off time of 8:00 PM ET. The two sides last met 11 days ago in the Music City, where the Pelicans defeated the Grizzlies 126-116 to stage an outright upset as a three-point underdog. Overall, New Orleans is 4-2 ATS in the last six meetings between both sides.

Memphis at New Orleans Key Injury Concerns:

Memphis Shooting Guard Marko Guduric and Starting Power Forward Jaren Jackson, Jr. will both be unavailable for this contest as they serve a one-game suspension for their involvement in an altercation when the Grizzlies were in action against the Knicks on Wednesday. Both Guduric and Jackson are eligible to be reinstated on Monday when the Grizzlies take on Detroit in the Music City.

Grizzlies at Pelicans Overview:

Memphis Grizzlies The Grizzlies step into this contest in good form as they have won their last four matches and covered in each as they did so. Memphis was last in action on Wednesday on the road against the New York Knicks. Closing as a 2.5-point favorite, the Grizzlies were cash money defeating the Knickerbockers decisively in a 127-106 rout.

New Orleans Pelicans The Pelicans come in on a two-game winning streak both against the spread and straight dating back to their 123-108 win at Boston on Sunday. Most recently, New Orleans was in action in Brooklyn against the Cleveland Cavaliers, three days ago. Closing as an eight-point favorite, the Pelicans covering the spread easily in a 125-111 win.

Reasons to Back Memphis:

This market opened with the Grizzlies taking back 4.5 points but has since climbed as a result of the off-the-court disciplinary action that surrounds the Grizzlies camp. As a result, Memphis is taking back an additional point and a half, and that in itself can bode tremendous value. However, it doesn’t stop there. Overall, Memphis has a huge advantage in their approach toward shot selection. The Grizzlies sit fourth in the NBA in field goal percentage (47.1%), while the Cans average a 17th-ranked 45.6% from the floor. In a game where there will likely be plenty of scoring, smart shot selection could be a key difference-maker, and that edge rests with the Grizzlies. Moreover, Memphis bodes an edge in the turnover department, which also plays ideally into their hands, given the forecasted offensive connotation of this affair.

Reasons to Avoid New Orleans:

In addition to the aforementioned variables, New Orleans’ bodes the more porous defense of the two sides giving up a 28th-ranked 117.3 points per outing, which is a full basket more than Memphis’ defense, which also surrenders an affable 115.2 points per match (26th in the NBA). The bottom line, there are too many intangibles working against the Pelicans here to justify laying the points, especially at a likely lousy number.