NBA FREE Pick: 517 New Orleans Pelicans @ 518 Memphis Grizzlies
Rating: 2 Units – Regular Play
Pick: 517 New Orleans Pelicans (+4)
Price: -110 / 1.91 on Bookmaker
Write Up:
I don’t think the Grizzlies should be 4-points favorites in this contest.
They are already dealing with a lot of injuries and plenty of key players are out such as Jerome, Pippen Jr. and Zach Edey. Morant will play and start but he missed the entire preseason and he surely couldn’t practice much as he was dealing with an ankle injury. The Grizzlies style is unique, they are prone to be very erratic as they attempt an absurd number of 3pts without having talent for such a high volume.
They will play against a Pelicans team that is very athletic and can run with them. The Pelicans, like the Grizzlies, don’t have much perimeter offensive shooting talent, but they won’t attempt a crazy number of 3pts. Their focus is rather going to be attacking the rim, and this could be problematic for MEM. Jaren Jackson is MEM’s best interior defender, but he is prone to get in foul trouble, especially against Zion Williamson who is in the best shape of his career.
I think this game is going to be a tight battle, and therefore I’m taking the points with the Pelicans.