Pelicans vs Grizzlies Prediction, Picks & Player Props (12/31): Two top talents meet in Memphis

While the College Football Playoff and New Year’s Eve celebrations will be getting a lot of attention, there’s a must-see matchup in the NBA to close out 2022 as well, as Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans visit Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies.

Tonight’s Western Conference showdown at FedExForum is scheduled to tip off at 8:00 pm ET (7:00 pm local time).

The Pelicans make the trip to Memphis with five straight wins in tow, the latest being last night’s 127-116 home win over Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers. Embiid had 37 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, but New Orleans got 42 from C.J. McCollum and 36 from Zion Williamson to see off the Sixers.

Memphis, meanwhile, is back home after picking up a valuable 119-106 win over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday. The Grizzlies had lost four of five, but 25 points from Dillon Brooks and double-doubles by Ja Morant (19 points, 17 assists) and Steven Adams (14 points, 17 rebounds) led them to the win in Toronto.

Which young superstar will get the win in Memphis? Keep reading for our Pelicans vs Grizzlies prediction, as well as our picks for tonight’s matchup.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies Odds

Odds are via BetOnline as of Saturday, December 31, 2022, at 3:09 pm ET. Odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites may also appear in this article.

Spread

• New Orleans Pelicans +6 (-110)
• Memphis Grizzlies -6 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 236.5 (-110)
• Under 236.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• New Orleans Pelicans +188
• Memphis Grizzlies -225

Will the Grizzlies Rout the Pelicans at Home Again?

Tonight’s game is the third head-to-head matchup this season between Memphis and New Orleans, and the home team has won each time so far.

The Pelicans won 113-102 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on November 15, then the Grizzlies turned the tables ten days later in a 132-111 win at FedExForum.

That win started a run of eight wins in nine games for the Grizzlies after they had dropped four of five games prior, and they will certainly be hoping that Thursday’s win over the Raptors kickstarts a similar run.

After facing the Kings at home tomorrow night, the Grizzlies have two winnable road games against the Hornets and Magic before a stretch of five home games in six games.

So, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Grizzlies get hot, especially because of good they have been at home this season.

In addition to being 13-3 at home, Memphis is 11-4-1 against the spread at home. Nine of their 13 home wins have come by double digits, while a 115-112 overtime win over the Knicks to open the season is the only time thus far this season that the Grizzlies have won at home by fewer than six points.

Generally speaking, if the Grizzlies win, it is by a comfortable margin. Only four of their 21 wins this season have been by fewer than six points.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies Prediction and Picks

Pelicans vs Grizzlies Prediction: Grizzlies to win

Pelicans vs Grizzlies Picks: Grizzlies -6 (Best Value: BetUS) & Grizzlies team total over 120.5 (Best Value: Bovada Sportsbook)

The Pelicans are on fire right now, but they will be cooled off tonight in Memphis.

Home court has proven to be rather valuable in the NBA this season, with only five teams–the Celtics, Nets, Knicks (that’s right, the Knicks), Nuggets, and Clippers–currently over .500 on the road.

Additionally, the Grizzlies are averaging 118.6 points per game and have scored 121+ points seven times at home, they are averaging 121.7 points per game and scored 121+ points in 13 of their wins.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies Player Props

• Ja Morant over 8.5 assists (Best Value: Bovada Sportsbook)
• Ja Morant to record a double-double (Best Value: Bovada Sportsbook)

I got burned last night by the hook on the over for James Harden’s assists, but I’m going back to the well tonight and backing another opposing player against the Pelicans.

Morant is averaging 8.6 assists per game at home (14 games), 9.1 assists per game in December (11 games), and 9.3 assists per game in wins (19 wins).

In 11 games this month, Ja has had 9+ assists seven times. He has had 10+ dimes in all seven of those games, so even if the number moves up to 9.5, I still love it.

Other NBA Content at Betting News

• Today’s NBA Odds
• NBA Picks for Today