Grizzlies vs Spurs Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Friday, March 17th

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

Grizzlies vs Spurs NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: Memphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs
Where: San Antonio at AT&T Center
Date: Friday, March 17th
Betting Odds SA +7.5, MEM -323 | SA +258 O/U 231.5

So far, the Grizzlies have put together an overall record of 41-27, while going 32-34-2 vs 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.

Not only did the Grizzlies drop their last game to the Heat. But they also picked up an ATS loss, as they fell by a score of 138-119 as 4 point underdogs. Memphis struggled throughout the game, as they were not able to chip away at a 12 point halftime deficit. Leading the team in scoring was Jaren Jackson Jr., as he contributed 25 points while hitting 66.7% of his shots.

So far, the Spurs have put together an overall record of 18-51, while going 28-41-0 vs the spread. In the teams past 3 games, their overall mark sits at 1-2. San Antonio is 1-2 vs the spread in these matchups.

San Antonio is trying to bounce back from a 137-128 loss to the Mavericks. Going into this game, the team was 4 point underdogs on the spread, giving them an ATS loss. San Antonio went on to lose the game despite leading by 2 heading into halftime. In the loss, Keldon Johnson led the team in scoring with 27 points on a field goal percentage of 44.0%.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

In the most recent game between the two teams, the Grizzlies picked up a 124-122 win over the Spurs. However, heading into the game, Memphis was favored to win by 6.0 points, giving the Spurs and ATS victory. So far this season, the Grizzlies have a record of 3-0 vs the Spurs. Similar to their season-long average, the Grizzlies averaged 116.5 points per game vs the Spurs. Just like the Grizzlies, the Spurs maintained their usual level of scoring in head-to-head matchups, averaging 107.75 points per game vs Memphis. Although the Spurs have the better ATS mark across the previous 5 head-head matchups at 4-1, the average scoring margin sits in favor of Memphis, as they averaged 122 points per game while allowing 116. In these contests, they averaged a combined 238 points per game, leading to an over-under mark of 2-2-1.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

For the season, the Memphis offense is the 11th ranked unit in the NBA, at 115.7 points per contest. Coming into today’s game, the Grizzlies will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 11.5 made 3’s per game. Memphis appears to be a candidate to have some offensive regression as not only are they a below average outside shooting unit, but they are generating free-throws at a rate below the NBA average.

Against the Spurs, the Grizzlies will look to continue their strong defensive play. For the year, they are the 12th ranked unit at 109.93 points per game.

Without Ja Morant, Memphis will need Desmond Bane to step up and put together a strong scoring performance against the San Antonio today. This season, Morant leads the team in scoring with 27.1 points per game. Bane is the team’s 2nd leading scorer with 21.1 points per game, which places him 44.0th in the NBA. In his 46 games, he has hit 46.8% of his field goal attempts and is averaging 5.0 rebounds per game.

The Spurs come into today’s game as the 24th ranked scoring offense at 112.5 points per game. So far, San Antonio is averaging 101.3 possessions per game, making them one of the more up-tempo teams in the league. If the Spurs are going to turn things around on offense, they must improve their overall shooting efficiency. In particular, the 3-point shot has been problematic for the unit, as they are just 24th in 3-point shooting percentage.

Against the Grizzlies, the Spurs will need a stronger defensive effort as they are ranked just 23rd in points allowed.

Small-Forward Keldon Johnson currently leads the Spurs at 21.7 points per game. For the season, he is 41st in the NBA in usage rate and has taken 19.0% of the team’s field goal attempts. In addition to his scoring, Johnson is averaging 4.9 boards and 2.9 assists per contest. In today’s game, he is facing off against the NBA’s 15th ranked defense at defending small-forwards. Tre Jones enters the game sitting second on the team in scoring. Through 56 games, he is averaging 12.6 and is 156th in the league in player efficiency rating.