Grizzlies vs Pelicans Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Wednesday, April 5th

Check out our free Grizzlies vs Pelicans pick and preview for this NBA game in New Orleans. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

Grizzlies vs Pelicans NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: Memphis Grizzlies at New Orleans Pelicans
Where: New Orleans at Smoothie King Center
Date: Wednesday, April 5th
Betting Odds NO -5.5, MEM +183 | NO -222 O/U 232.0

The Grizzlies come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 50-29. So far, the team has gone 36-41-2 against the spread. In the teams past 3 games, their overall mark sits at 2-1. Memphis is 1-2 vs the spread in these matchups.

Memphis is going for another win in today’s game, as they previously took down the Trail Blazers. Going into the game, they were 18 point favorites against the spread. Their 119-109 victory was not enough to cover. Although Memphis held just a 4 point lead at half, they put together a strong second half on their way to a 10 point victory. In the win, Desmond Bane led the team in scoring with 30 points on a field goal percentage of 54.5%.

So far, the Pelicans have put together an overall record of 40-39, while going 38-41-0 vs the spread. In the teams past 3 games, their overall mark sits at 2-1. New Orleans is 2-1 vs the spread in these matchups.

In their previous game, the Pelicans were favored to win vs the Kings. However, their 121-103 loss gave them both a straight up and ATS defeat. In the defeat, New Orleans did not outscore the Kings in a single quarter. In the loss, Brandon Ingram led the team in scoring with 22 points on a field goal percentage of 46.7%.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

In the most recent matchup between the two teams, the Pelicans picked up the 113-102 win over the Grizzlies. The Pelicans point margin of victory was enough to cover the spread as 1.5 point favorite. So far this season, the Grizzlies have a record of 2-1 vs the Pelicans. In last year’s head-to-head meetings, the Grizzlies averaged 123.75 points per game vs New Orleans, which was an increase over their season-long average. While the Grizzlies saw a boost in scoring, the Pelicans averaged 111.5 points per contest in head-to-head meeting vs Memphis. This figure was similar to season-long average. In terms of betting, Memphis has an ATS record of 4-1 in the previous 5 matchups vs New Orleans. This mark has come on an average scoring margin of +14 points per game in favor of the Grizzlies. In these matchups, the teams have put together an over-under mark of 3-2. Combined, they averaged 234 points in these games.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

The Memphis offense will take the floor in today’s game with the league’s 9th ranked offense at 116.7 points per game. Coming into today’s game, the Grizzlies will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 12.0 made 3’s per game. One reason that they are still scoring at a high rate, is the fact that they are ranked 9th in the NBA in possessions per contest. These increased opportunites have helped make up for the lack of outside shooting.

On the defensive end of the floor, the Grizzlies are giving up an average of 109.93 points per game, good for 12th in the NBA.

This season, the Grizzlies offense has primarily worked through Ja Morant and Desmond Bane who are 1st and 2nd on the team in scoring. In his 60 games, Morant is 15th in the NBA at 26.4 points per game. So far, him and Bane have accounted for 40% of the team’s field goal attempts while combining to average 48.0 points per contest. In addition to sitting 2nd on the team in scoring, Desmond Bane is grabbing 5.0 rebounds for Memphis to go along with 4.3 assists.

This season, the New Orleans offense has had their problems scoring the ball as they are a below average unit at 114.2 points per game. Coming into today’s game, the Pelicans will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 10.9 made 3’s per game. One area of the team’s offense that has been effective is their ability to get to the free-throw line. So far, they are ranked 11th, with an average of 19.1 made free-throws per game.

On defense, the Pelicans will look for some improved play, as they are currently the 13th ranked unit in points allowed per game.

Point-Guard CJ McCollum currently leads the Pelicans at 20.7 points per game. For the season, he is 56th in the NBA in usage rate and has taken 20.4% of the team’s field goal attempts. In addition to his scoring, McCollum is averaging 4.3 boards and 5.8 assists per contest. In today’s game, he is facing off against the NBA’s 2nd ranked defense at defending point-guards. Jonas Valanciunas enters the game sitting second on the team in scoring. Through 76 games, he is averaging 14.4 and is 60th in the league in player efficiency rating.