Be sure to check injury reports and any new information as these picks may change before game time!
Charlotte Hornets at Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are certainly a streaky team this season. They saw a 7 game win streak followed by a current 4 game losing streak that they can hope to halt against the Hornets at home.
The Grizzlies have been riddled with injuries since the start of the season. Jackson Jr hasn’t been healthy since he entered the league and will continue to miss time. Winslow, Clarke, and Melton are also listed as out.
The Grizzlies greatest asset was their defense but has eroded to number 10 in the league in defensive rating in recent games. They can’t seem to find any chemistry on either end. Preventing them from getting blown out every game is their ability to find assists and get rebounds. They are 1st in assists and 9th in rebounding. They are essentially middle of the pack to the back of the pack in the rest of the stat categories.
Their young offensive juggernaut has seen a dip in his scoring ability. At the beginning of the season he was dropping 25+ points every other night. It appears his injury may still be nagging him on the court. His averages are 18.5 PPG, 2.2 RPG and 7.4 APG. Although his scoring has dropped, he is till able to find the open man.
Despite losing 4 games in a row, the Grizzlies are still 6-4 in their last 10 games and have dropped to 11th in the West and hold a record of 9-10.
The Hornets on the other hand, are on a two game win streak after taking down the Rockets 119-94 in a decisive victory. They are now 6-4 in their last 10 games and are 12-13 overall.
All eyes are on LaMelo Ball who is now thriving in his rookie season off the bench. Ball is averaging 14.2 PPG, 6.2 APG, and 5.9 RPG shooting 43% from the floor. His Rookie of the Year case is sky rocketing. It is definitely worth a wager for Ball to win ROTY.
The leading scorer has been Hayward in his first year with his new team. The star forward has seamlessly fit into his role as the leader and revamped this Hornets team after years of struggling. Hayward is averaging 22.9 PPG, 3.9 APG, and 5.5 RPG shooting close to 50%. Hayward is back. The new addition of Hayward hasn’t affected Rozier’s play in the slightest and is averaging 18.4 PPG. The addition of Ball will form a surprisingly effective trio in the years to come.
The key matchup will be between Ball and Ja Morant. Both not known for their defense which will result in a slough of points. Who ever wins this matchup will decide the game.
The Grizzlies are the -4.0 favorite to win this game at home. With Graham out this game, the Hornets will likely start Ball at point guard. Ja Morant should have a field day and drop a fair amount of points resulting in a Grizzlies -4.0 cover to snap their losing streak.
New Orleans Pelicans at Chicago Bulls
The Pelicans chemistry issues appear to have been solved as we get deeper in the season. They now boast a 4 game winning streak as they head into Chicago to face a Bulls team that is facing injuries. The Pelicans are completely healthy. The Pelicans are 6-4 in their last 10 games.
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The young duo of Williamson and Ingram have led the offensive charge behind their averages of 23.5 PPG, 2.9 APG, and 7.1 RPG and 23.8 PPG, 4.6 APG, and 5.5 RPG, respectively. Both are having excellent seasons and should both thrive this game due to the injuries sustained by the Bulls resulting in favorable matchups for the duo.
The Pelicans are one of the best rebounding teams in the league and should continue to exercise this advantage with the Bulls two starting big men out which include Markkanen and Carter. Porter and Hutchinson are also listed as out.
The Bulls are now 4-6 in their last ten games with an overall record of 9-14. These injuries are proving costly as they dip in the standings. The Bulls still have their guards healthy with LaVine and White suiting up this game. This guard tandem will need to play lights out if they stand a chance of winning. LaVine will likely get defensive focused Lonzo Ball in this matchup. LaVine will need to overcome this defensive matchup to drop 30+ points to at least cover the spread of +3.0. LaVine is having a tremendous season behind his 27.4 PPG average. One of the best scorers in the league when healthy.
The Pelicans have the clear talent advantage and a deeper bench. They will also get the advantage down low to exert their great rebounding against the Bulls for second chance points. I think Vegas has made an error with a line of Pelicans -3.0 which is the play for this game.
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