The New Orleans Pelicans kick off their season against the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum on Wednesday night. Here’s a Grizzlies vs Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Grizzlies vs Pelicans Pick.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans will be hoping to erase a forgettable campaign, as they won just 21 games to finish 14th in the Western Conference last season. The Pelicans’ star players just couldn’t stay healthy as Zion Williamson averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game but played just 30 games, Brandon Ingram averaged 22.2 points but played just 18 games and Trey Murphy averaged 21.2 points but played just 53 games.
As a team, the Pelicans scored 109.8 points per game while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 34.7 percent from the 3-point line. The Pelicans traded away CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, and Brandon Boston Jr and acquired Saddiq Bey, Kevon Looney, and Jordan Poole. The Pelicans will look very different this season, but perhaps the biggest difference is Williamson, who looks like a new man after dropping approximately 40 pounds in the offseason.
Memphis Grizzlies Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies will be aiming for a deep playoff run in this campaign after winning 48 games last season only to get swept by the Thunder in the first round of the playoffs. They dropped their head coach at the end of the regular season. To be fair, the Grizzlies were hampered right from the start of the season as Ja Morant had to serve a 25-game suspension. Morant led the team with averages of 23.2 points and 7.3 assists per game, Jaren Jackson Jr averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game while Desmond Bane provided plenty of support averaging 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.
As a team, the Grizzlies averaged 121.7 points per game while shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from the 3-point line. In the offseason, the Grizzlies got rid of Marvin Bagley, Desmond Bane and Luke Kennard while acquiring Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Ty Jerome and Jock Landale. Perhaps the Grizzlies would’ve been better served to keep Bane in the lineup, but Pope could be a solid fit, and it allowed them to accrue a number of picks and re-sign Jackson Jr to a five-year extension.
Why the Memphis Grizzlies will win
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last eight road games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The favorites have won each of the Pelicans’ last 12 games.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games as underdogs against Southwest Division opponents.
- The home team has covered the spread in seven of the Grizzlies’ last eight games.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Grizzlies have lost eight of their nine previous season openers against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Pelicans have won three of their last four road openers as underdogs.
- The Grizzlies have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven season openers.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in four of their last five season openers.
Total Points Facts
- Ten of the Pelicans’ last 11 games as road underdogs have gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of the Grizzlies’ last seven home games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Memphis Grizzlies Player Facts
- Santi Aldama was one of only 16 qualified Centers in the league to shoot at least 30% from three last season.
- Ja Morant was one of only 26 players in the league to have scored 20+ points in 10 straight games last season.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Trey Murphy III was the only player in the league to have made 8+ threes in consecutive games last season.
- Jordan Poole ranked 5th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per 36 minutes (4.2) last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Grizzlies ranked 1st in the league for free throws made per game last season (18.3).
- The Grizzlies played in the equal-fewest number of regular season game that went to overtime last season (1).
- The Pelicans suffered the equal-most losses when leading at HT last season (17).
- The Pelicans suffered the most losses by a margin of 40+ points last season (4).
Grizzlies vs Pelicans Prediction
The Pelicans will be missing a couple of players to start the season with Dejounte Murray and Kevon Looney both ruled out, while the Grizzlies have already ruled out Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr, Brandon Clarke and Zach Edey. There’s a lot to be excited about with the Pelicans this season if Williamson can stay healthy this time round, but even with the long list of injuries.
I prefer a play on the Grizzlies for this game, with Morant and Jackson Jr both raring to go. The line is short enough for this one, so I will stick with the banged up Grizzlies to draw first blood and earn their first win of the season at home.