NBA Free Pick: 521 New Orleans Pelicans @ 522 Memphis Grizzlies
Rating: 2 Units – Regular Play
Pick: 521 New Orleans Pelicans (+1)
Price: -110 / 1.91 on Betonline
Write Up:
Memphis will be forced to play without some players in tonight’s game in a matchup that would never be favored to them anyway. The Grizzlies were a subpar defensive rebounding team last season and without Steven Adams, they only got worse. This will be a problem for them tonight as the Pelicans were #10 in off reb last season and they have Jonas Valanciunas, a physical Center who would have problems against Adams but who will have a favorable matchup tonight with Adams out.
With Morant suspended and with Smart playing only one preseason game, Memphis’ offense will have to rely on Desmond Bane. However, the Pelicans have one of the best perimeter defensive players in the league in Herb Jones, who should be able to limit Bane tonight.
Memphis will be also without Santi Aldama tonight, a stretch PF with good shooting ability who would have caused troubles tonight to a Pelicans team that plays Zion at PF. On the other hand, CJ McCollum isn’t a great defensive player but this is a matchup where he can be hidden on defense by guarding Marcus Smart.