Denver Nuggets (4-2) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (3-3)
November 1, 2021 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Memphis Grizzlies -1.5; Over/Under: +216
(Get latest betting odds)
The Denver Nuggets and the Memphis Grizzlies duke it out at the FedExForum on Monday night.
The Denver Nuggets have been in decent shape as they’ve won four of their first six games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after taking down the Timberwolves in a 93-91 road win on Saturday. Nikola Jokic led the team with 26 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists, Monte Morris added 16 points with five assists while Aaron Gordon chipped in with 12 points. As a team, the Nuggets shot 40 percent from the field and nine of 37 from the 3-point line but this win was all about their defense as they held the Timberwolves to just 15 points in the second quarter to overcome a 14-point deficit, before limiting them to just 18 points in the fourth quarter to escape with the narrow win. Michael Porter Jr. scored just seven points on three of 14 shooting while Will Barton shot just three of 10 from the field.
Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies have been in a rut as they’ve lost three of their last four games overall and they will be hoping to bounce back in this one after getting routed by the Heat in a 129-103 home loss on Saturday. Ja Morant and DeAnthony Melton each scored 20 points, Desmond Bane added 17 points while Kyle Anderson chipped in with 13 points off the bench, but no other player finished in double figures. As a team, the Grizzlies shot just 38 percent from the field and 16 of 50 from the 3-point line but a slow start meant they were always fighting an uphill battle after the Heat exploded for 38 points in the first quarter to take the early double-digit lead. Jaren Jackson Jr. had a night to forget as he scored just eight points on three of 12 shooting while Steven Adams scored just six points in 19 minutes of action.
Looking at the betting trends, the Nuggets are 0-4 ATS in their last four games playing on one days’ rest and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The Grizzlies are 1-5 ATS in their last six home games, 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games following a loss of more than 10 points and 1-5 ATS in their last six games against a team with a winning record.
Head to head, the under is 10-4 in the last 14 meetings overall, the Nuggets are 1-6 ATS in the last seven meetings in Memphis and the Nuggets are 1-3-1 ATS in the last five meetings overall.
The Nuggets have yet to really find their offense this season, but they’re still finding ways to win thanks to big games from Jokic on a nightly basis. The Grizzlies started the season well, but they’ve cooled off lately with three losses in their last four outings, which is why they’re barely favorites in their own building for this one. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Grizzlies bounced back with a win here, but with Jackson Jr. still well below his best, I’m sticking with the Nuggets to escape with the win in this one.
