New Orleans Pelicans (12-32) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (29-15)
January 24, 2025 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Memphis Grizzlies -11.5; Over/Under: 241
(Get latest betting odds)
The New Orleans Pelicans invade the FedExForum to battle the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.
Here’s a Grizzlies vs Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Grizzlies vs Pelicans Pick.
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have been in great shape as they’ve won five of their last six games overall and because their last game got postponed, they haven’t played since their 123-119 overtime win over the Jazz on Monday. CJ McCollum led the team with 45 points, eight rebounds and four assists, Dejounte Murray added 26 points with nine rebounds and 11 assists while Trey Murphy chipped in with 24 points. As a team, the Pelicans shot 44 percent from the field and 15 of 41 from the 3-point line as they clawed their way back from an early 25-point deficit to force overtime. The Pelicans opened with a 6-1 run to escape with the impressive comeback victory at home.
Memphis Grizzlies
Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies have been in fine form themselves as they’ve won five of their last six games and they will be aiming for a fifth straight victory after blowing past the Hornets in a 132-120 home win on Wednesday. Desmond Bane led the team with 24 points and eight assists on 10 of 15 shooting, Luke Kennard added 23 points, Jaren Jackson Jr scored 22 points while Ja Morant chipped in with 16 points and 13 assists. As a team, the Grizzlies shot 50 percent from the field and 21 of 47 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 78 points in the first half to build a 35-point lead. The Grizzlies took their foot off the gas in the second half. The only minor blemish from the dominant win was Santi Aldama who shot just one of seven for his two points and Scotty Pippen Jr who finished shot zero of five to finish scoreless.
Why the Memphis Grizzlies will win
- The Grizzlies have won each of their last 11 home games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 11 road games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Grizzlies have covered the spread in 14 of their last 15 night games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games as underdogs against Southwest Division opponents following a win.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Grizzlies have lost six of their last eight games as favorites when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Pelicans have won seven of their last eight road games following a home win.
- The Grizzlies have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 games on the first leg of a back-to-back against Western Conference opponents.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 games as underdogs following an overtime win.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Pelicans’ last eight night games against Southwest Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Grizzlies’ last eight Friday night games have gone OVER the total points line.
Grizzlies vs Pelicans Prediction
The Pelicans are still missing Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, while the Grizzlies are still missing Marcus Smart with Santi Aldama listed as questionable. The Pelicans are coming into this meeting with plenty of momentum and they should be well rested as their last game got postponed, while the Grizzlies are starting to heat up again with more and more players rejoining the lineup. This might be a close contest in the first half, but in the end I think the Grizzlies will have too much firepower at home.
